


' >' !i 



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Class 

Book _£ 7 C ^/ 






HISTORY 



Town of Essex 



FROM 1634 TO 18C8, 



BT THE/LATE 

Rev. ROBERT CROWELL, D. D., 

PASTOR OP THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN ESSEX. 



Sketches of the Soldiers 



¥AR OF THE REBELLION, 



Hon. DAVID CHOATE. 



ESSEX: 

PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN 

Press of Samuel Bowles 4. Co., Springfield, Mass. 
1868. 

CO 



>N^Vr 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 
EDWIN SARGENT, JOHN C. CHOATE, AND HERVEY BURNHAM, 

COMMITTEE FOR THE TOWN OF ESSEX, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court fou the District of Massachusetts. 






Preface. 



Most of the readers of this volume will recognize the 
first dialler as the "History of Essex (then Chebacco, a 
part of Ipswich) from 1634 to 1700," which was published 

in 1853. 

In the preparation of the rest of the work, as well as of 

that first part, it was the author's plan to insert a "few 

fanaj sketches of domestic, nautical and military life," in 

the belief, as he stated in his preface, that since these 

« were designed to be true to nature and in accordance 

with the history of the times, they would not diminish 

the value of the book as a history of the town. The 

reader," he added, "will readily distinguish, it is presumed, 

between the facts of history and the drapery in which 

some of them occasionally appear. Man is no less a 

reality for the dress, he may be supposed to have worn, 

according to the fashion of his day ; nor is it difiicult to 

distinguish between the man and his apparel." 

It was also his design to introduce as many hiograjM- 
cal sketches of natives and residents of the town, as could 
be obtained; considering that "the history of towns, is 
the history of townsmen, especially when acting for town 

or country." 

And since some mention of public o/«iVs— proceedings 
of the government, political movements, military opera- 



IV PREFACE. 

tions and the like — by which the welfare of the people 
was in any way affected, or in which their leading men 
took part, seemed to him essential to a full exhibition of 
the history of the town, he aimed to associate its succes- 
sive stages with the most important events occurring in the 
colony, the province and the nation, of which it was a part. 

It was his intention to close the history with the year 
1819, and yet to increase its value as a work of reference, 
by appending a chronological record of events from that 
yeai' to the date of its publication. At the time of his 
death, how^ever, the work was completed no further than 
the year 1814, several gaps w^ere still unfilled, and only a 
few of the materials were collected and arranged for the 
rest of it. 

The town, at a meeting held April 1, 1867, voted to 
purchase the manuscript for publication, and since that 
time efforts have been made by those, into whose posses- 
sion it had fallen, to supply deficiencies and to carry out 
as fully as possible the plan of the author ; but of neces- 
sity the book still has defects, from which it would have 
been free, had he himself lived to revise and finish it. 

The last chapter, containing the doings of the town with 
reference to the war of the rehellion and the sketches of its 
soldiers in the Federal army, has been written by Hon. 
David Choate. Some of the biographical sketches (pub- 
lished originally in the newspapers), the "Walk about 
Town," the copious extracts from the records of mar- 
riages and deaths, and other facts have also been fur- 
nished by him. The whole w^ork, too, has had the benefit 
of some revision at his hands, though he is in no w^ay re- 
sjDonsible for its defects. 



PREFACE. 



The book is further indebted for many facts to several 
other citizens and particularly to Caleb Cogswell, Esq., 
whose researches have contributed much valuable mate- 
rial to the sixth chapter. 

The author was dependent upon Rev. J. B. Felt's His- 
tory of Ipswich for a number of statements, statistics and 
dates drawn from ancient documents; yet the most of 
these have been verified and all others have been taken 
at first hand from family papers and original records of all 
sorts. Some errors of dates will, perhaps, still be found, 
arising from unreliable sources of information, from mis- 
takes in copying, or from oversight in the reading of the 
proof-sheets. Only those who have had experience in 
this kind of work can fully appreciate the difficulty of 
attaining perfect accuracy in such matters. 

The hiographical sketch of the author has been pre- 
pared at the suggestion and in accordance with the pub- 
licly expressed wish of a number of the citizens of the 

town. ^ 

E. P. Crowell. 

Amueest College, September, 1868. 



Contents. 



-•-•-*- 



Biographical Skktch of the Author, 



Page. 

. 9 



CHAPTEK I. 

1634—1700: From the First Settlement of Chebacco to the 

CLOSE OF THE SEVENTEENTH CeNTURY, 21 

CHAPTliR li. 

1700—1745: To the Division of Chebacco into Two Parishes, 110 

CHAPTER III. 

1746—1774: To the Reunion of the Two Parishes, .... 160 

CHAPTER IV. 

1774—1800: To the Close OF the Eighteenth Century, . . • 201 

CHAPTER V. 

1800—1819: To THE Incorporation of Chebacco as the Town 

054. 
OF Essex, 

CHAPTER VI. 

1820—1868: Chronological Record of Events, 293 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Doings of the Town with reference to the War of 

the Rebellion, with Sketches of the Soldiers, • •• • ^58 

"A Walk About Town," 



Vlll CONTENTS. 



APPENDIX. 

Page. 

I. Record of Makriages and Deaths, » 454, 460 

II. College Graduates and other Professional Men, . . 475 

III. Representatives and Senators in the Legislature, Town 
Clerks, Town Treasurers, Moderators of Annual 
Town Meetings and Justices of the Peace, . . 476,477 

Index, 479 



Biographical Sketcli of tlie Aiitlior 



Robert Crowell was born in Salem, Mass., December D, 1787. 
He was the son of a sea captain, Samuel Crowell, the commander of a 
privateer in the Revolutionary War, under a commission from Congress,* 
afterwards master of a ship in the East India trade, and who was supposed 
to have perished by shipwreck in the Indian Ocean in 1810, at the age of 
55. It was not the lot of the subject of this sketch, therefore, to grow up 
under the watchful eye and with the guiding hand of a father. His mother, 
however,— Mrs. Lydia Woodbury Crowell,— to whose care alone he was thus 
of necessity left, was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, of energy 
and discretion and of earnest piety. It was no slight testimony to the fidelity 
and wisdom of the early training he received from her, that when he entered 
a store on Kilby Street, Boston, at the age of fourteen, on learning that the 
clergymen of his own denomination in that city had departed from what he 
had'been taught to believe was the truth, and were preaching error, he de- 
cided to attend public worship at a Baptist church. The published history 
of that church mentions "a remarkable revival of religion in it during the 
first years of the present century." And with that condition of things, it is 
not strange that the preaching of its pastor, Rev. Dr. Samuel Stillman, a 
man eminent for his piety, and " the most popular pulpit orator of his day,"— 
to which he thus statedly listened, should have made upon his mind, as he was 
wont to declare, religious impressions that were never effaced. Some three 
years of laborious service earned him the confidence of his employer and 
the promise of a partnership in trade at the age of twenty-one. But a love 
of books, and a desire for an education, which had been stimulated by the 
excellent schools of his native town, had strengthened rather than diminished 
by his separation from studies, and he returned to his home in 1804, to 
prepare for college at the Latin Grammar School in Salem, then under the 
instruction of Master Daniel Parker. 

He had no means for defraying the cost of a liberal education and was 
obliged to set out on his course relying entirely upon himself. School teach- 

* Captain Crowell's commission as " Commander of the schooner Greyhound, of 
forty tuns burthen, and mounting six carriage guns," is dated October, 1779, and 
has the signature of John Jay, President of Congress. 
2 



X BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOK. 

ing — the first time at Manchester when he was eighteen years old — procured 
him the necessary funds only in part But he providentially found a friend 
in a neiglibor, Mr. Joseph Hodges, who loaned him several hundred dollars, 
without interest or security, and who was content to wait for its repayment by 
installments from the professional salary of his beneficiary. 

Entering Dartmouth College in the Autumn of 1807, he was fortunate in 
the class which he joined, not so much on account of its numbers, (fifty-four 
at graduation,) though it was the largest which graduated at that Institution 
during the first sixty-eight years of its history, as because of the character of 
some of its members — the real culture of a college student being more vitally 
atfected by the intellectual ability, the degree of enthusiasm, and the scholar- 
ship of the leading men of his class, than by almost any other influences of 
his academic life. Of those with whom he was thus brought into the very 
intimate relation of class-mate, several have attained high eminence in Church 
and State — among them his room-mate. Rev. Dr. Daniel Poor, missionary 
in Ceylon for forty years, Rev. Jonathan Curtis, the first scholar of his class 
and afterwards a tutor in college, Joel Parker, LL. D., now Professor of Law 
in Harvard University, and Hon. Ether Shepley, Chief Justice of the Su- 
preme Court of Maine. Many others have been useful and influential in the 
various learned professions. 

While an undergraduate, his tastes inclined him especially to the study of 
the Greek and Latin classics, and mental and moral philosophy. But his 
conscientious fidelity in all the studies of the college course, and his eager- 
ness to make the most of them as means of discipline and culture, have been 
attested not more by some who were his associates then, than by his rank as 
a scholar. Of this no more need be recorded than that he was a member of 
the Phi Beta Kappa Society, to which only a certain part of each class — the 
first third in scholarship — were eligible. 

At his graduation in the Summer of 1811, he was at no loss in deciding 
upon the profession for which he should study. His Christian life, as he 
always afterwards believed, had begun in the Winter of his first year in col- 
lege, while he was teaching a school in Reading. The consciousness of his 
unfitness to comply with a rule, requiring the daily sessions of the school to 
be opened with prayer, compelled him to an immediate and earnest consider- 
ation of the subject of personal religion, and led him, through a Divine re- 
newal of his character, " to devote himself to God as a penitent believer in 
Jesus." Giving evidence of this change he had united with the Tabernacle 
Church, of which his mother had for many years been a member, March 10, 
1810, and througliout his connection with college had been known as an 
active and consistent Christian. He now looked upon the work of the Chris- 
tian ministry as both a duty and a privilege for himself. And impaired 
health and want of funds forbidding his entering tlie Theological Seminary at 
Andover, he studied divinity with his pastor, Rev. Dr. Samuel Worcester. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 



XI 



In 1813 he received licensure, and in Juno of that year preached for the 
first time in Chebacco. The pulpit being at that time vacant he was em- 
ployed as stated supply for th. remainder of the year. Several months fo - 
Lin. he spent in Home Missionary labor in Mame, and whde m that woi-1. 
he received in March, a call from the Church and Pansh an Chebacco, to 
become their pastor. His acceptance of this call .s dated, ''Salem Jun 
25 1814 " and his ordination took place on Wednesday, the 10th of August 
following' Of the public exercises on that occasion, some account is given 
in this history. The relation thus constituted continued unbroken forty-a,ie 
years and terminated with his death by pneumonia, November the 10th, 
1855 His funeral was attended at the church on the afternoon of the 13th 
on which occasion a discourse was delivered by Eev Dr Daniel Fit. o 
Ipswich, from Deuteronomy 11:31, and prayer offered by Rev. Wakefield 

Gale of Rockport. 

In his domestic life during this long period, there were some experiences 
of sorrow which were adapted to discipline him more perfectly for the ' min- 
istry of consolation," but of which it is fitting that only the briefest mention 
should here be made. Married very soon after his settlement, August 29th, 
to Miss Hannah H. Frost of Andover, he was deprived of her by death, 
December 11, 1818. His second wife. Miss Hannah Choate of Essex to 
whom he was united September 2, 1822, died on the 9th of February, 
1837 Two children were taken from him in their infancy, and a third- 
Washington Choate-at the age of twenty, when a student of medicine and 
apparently on the threshold of a life of usefulness. 

A ministry of such duration was necessarily the witness of many and great 
chan.es in the community where its offices were performed. _ Stretching 
beyond the middle of the century from a point so near its beginning, this pas- 
torate beheld the erection of the parish into a town ; a steady and considera- 
ble increase in its population and its business; its advance in educational 
privileges ; its participation in seasons of religious awakening, m the temper- 
ance reformation, and in national political excitements ; its growth m intelli- 
gence and enterprise, along with the enlargement of the nation, the wonderfu 
progress of the age in science and the arts, and the origination o almost all 
- the appliances of an enlightened philanthropy for the benefit of the diseased 
and for reclaiming the vicious, as well as for christianizing the heathen. This 
term of official service also spanned the life of more than an entire genera- 
tion ; so that in his earliest parochial visits the pastor conversed with some 
^ho recollected the burial of Pickering, and had enjoyed the fifty years 
ministry of Cleveland, with not a few who had been old enough to share 
in the excitements of tho Revolution and had seen the beginning of 
the Republic; and in his latest days nun.bered among his con^-egation 
many whose parents had been reared under his preaching. In tins long 
series of years he had literally followed to the grave more than nght hundred 



Xll BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

of his people. lie had officiated at tlie l^aptisin of two Imndi-ed and fifty-six 
persons, and united in marriage three hundred and fourteen couples. 

Yet even in this eventful period, and while an attentive spectator of such 
constant and important changes, his own ministerial work could admit of very 
little variety, and of nothing novel or extraordinary. Most of his time 
must be spent in the seclusion of the study. In parochial duties, — religious 
conversation, the visitation of the sick and the afflicted, and the burial of the 
dead, — there was the same unvarying routine. Each year was a repetition of 
the preceding in its regularly recurring services of worship and of preaching ; 
and his appearance in public was almost wholly limited to these occasions. 
His pulpit was never vacated except from sickness, and his only deviation 
from the round of his ordinary duties consisted in attendance upon meetings 
of the Association, and of the Conference and upon Councils. His pastorate, 
therefore, like that of most country clergyman, could be characterized by 
few incidents of general or striking interest, or even such as would be fitted 
of themselves to reveal or illustrate the distinctive traits of his character. 

His very steadfastness, however, in this undeviating and limited course of 
action certainly indicates that he had a definite plan and purpose in life to which 
he constantly adhered. Of the general features of this ideal we may, per- 
haps obtain the most correct views, — though at best but glimpses — from some 
of his own published discourses ; since the standard of clerical living which 
he commends to one entering the profession could hardly be other than the 
reflection or echo of his own sentiments, and in his delineation of a com- 
pleted ministerial career would be almost unconsciously disclosed those quali- 
ties of mind and heart which seemed to himself most excellent, and which 
he was ever striving to attain. At the same time in judging of Jiis apjjroach 
to the model thus outlined in his own words, the reader must make suitable 
allowance for the coloring of the picture ; since near relationship, while it has 
the best opportunity of observation, must be incapable of impartial judg- 
ment. . 

Apparent on the most casual glance at the life of Dr. Crowell,* is his 
conscientious and exclusive surrender to his professional calling as he deemed 
it indicated to him by the finger of his Divine Master. That such a devotion 
was distinctly contemplated, must be inferred from his reply to the "call" 
to the pastorate, which thus closes : — " To you Providence directed me in the 
commencement of my ministerial labors. And to you, if I am not deceived, 
the same Providence is now calling me for a more permanent residence among 
you. This call I would not resist, being confident in this very thing, that if 
God has any work for me to do. He can prepare me for it and direct me to it." 
His success in realizing this purpose, the language he used respecting a father 
in the ministry, perhaps with some abatement, describes*: — " He sought to be 

* The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon liim hy Dartmouth College 
in 1850. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 



Xlll 



^ minister and nothing but a minister. He never suffered auy other ohjcct 
to divide or distract his attention. His mind could not indeed be prevented 
from rancrin- through the works of nature that he might see and adore the 
wisdom o^f their Former and gather up truth wherever it was to be obtained, 
but he brought ^11 his attainments in knowledge from whatever source de- 
rived and laid them down at Jesus' feet He was an attentive observer of 
the political prospects and changes of the world, and particularly of his own 
<^ountry which he ardently loved ; but all his observatimis he brought to bear 
upon that Christian ministry to which he was devoted."* . 

His enthusiasm in theological study was sustained, if not kindled, by this 
.incrle aim to be faithful and useful in the work given him to do. It was one 
of his stronc^est convictions that " imbecility and a barren ministry must be 
the necessary consequence of a relaxation from studious habits and a reliance 
«pon what has been already acquired. The itinerant preacher may travel 
the country with the same scanty stock with which he commenced, but the 
settled abidino- pastor must be constantly adding to his fund of knowledge, 
if like the well instructed scribe, he would bring forth out of his treasury 
thino-s new and old." t With the value to the minister of a critical kuowl- 
ed-e°of the Scriptures in the original, he was deeply impressed. His every- 
day life testified to the sincerity and consistency with which he charged the 
<,andidatfi for this office to " make the.searching of the Scriptures a special 
study Be not content," was his injunction, "to read them m any other 
lancuacre than those in which they were originally written. However excel- 
lent the translations in English, yet see for yourself that they are thus faith- 
ful that you may add your testimony to this interesting fact, and prevent if 
pos'sible evil men and seducers from wresting the Scriptures by a false appeal 
to the oric^inal tongues." He himself read the Hebrew and Greek Testa- 
ments systematically and carefully to the end of his life-a practice rare at 
his day even among the graduates of Theological Seminaries. The meaning 
of every passage he was to expound and of every chapter to be interpreted 
at the monthly meeting of the ministerial association, was thoroughly exam- 
ined in the original. 

In all investigation of religious truth, it ^vas his maxim that one should 
"study the scope and end of the Scriptures, and make them his only aiithor- 
ity for what he believes and practices. He should draw his whole creed from 
this high and sacred source; never bringing to it any human system, however 
excellent in itself, or however well sustained by the authority of man, for the 
purpose of making the Scriptures accord with it ; but examining everything 
in the light of Scripture, and receiving or rejecting it accordmg as it agrees 
or disagrees with this unerring standard." X Of his own religious hehef, as 

* Sermon at the funeral of Rev. Dr. Joseph Dana, November 19, 1827. 
t Charge at the ordination of Rev. J. Taylor, Wenham. 
X Ibidem. 



XIV BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

thus developed, his summary of Dr. Dana's would be a fair representation. 
"In respect to sentiment, he was a firm believer in those doctrines usually 
denominated Calvinistic, and which embrace as cardinal points — the Trinity — 
man's native and entire depravity — regeneration by the special influences of 
the Holy Spirit — justification by the righteousness of Christ alone — election 
' — the perseverance of the saints — man's free agency and accountability — the 
resurrection of the dead — the final judgment — the eternal misery of the 
wicked and the everlasting happiness of the righteous." These truths he 
held solely because he found them in the Bible, "to which alone," like his 
venerated friend, "he repaired to learn what he should believe and what he 
should preach ; and for the truth of them he was remarkable for exhibiting in 
all his public discourses Scripture authority." 

With such a creed growing out of such a constant and reverent perusal of 
the inspired Word of God, as a perfect and authoritative revelation, he could 
not be guilty of any ambiguity in his utterances from the pulpit, or of any 
effort to win popularity by the subject matter, or the style of his sermons. 
" Ask not," was his admonition to the young preacher, " in the selection of 
your subjects for the pulpit, what will please men, but what will please the 
great Head of the church, and preach the preaching which he hath bidden 
you. Let no consideration of interest or expediency induce you to omit, in 
the course of your ministry, any one doctrine or duty of Holy Writ, but 
faithfully declare the whole counsel of God." In full accord with this pre- 
cept was his own practice. His characterization of Dr. Dana's sermons was, 
in proportion to his ability, applicable to his own. " His statements of divine 
truth were full, clear and impressive. His public discourses were rich in 
sound instruction and persuasive exhortation, expressed in language simple 
and pure, and in a style grave, perspicuous and forcible. " They were noted," 
said Rev. Dr. Fitz in his funeral sermon, " for strength of argument, for depth 
of research, and for their direct and solemn appeals to the conscience and 
the heart." 

Deriving from the same Divine source his idea of the relative importmice 
of the various duties devolving on him, he always made the public presenta- 
tion of religious truth from the pulpit paramount to all else. "He ever 
felt" — to introduce again his own words to another — "that the first and 
most important duty which he owed his people, besides visiting the bereaved, 
the sick and dying, was the preparation of thoroughly digested discourses for 
the Sabbath."* In his estimation, "no frequency of pastoral visits, no 
zeal in the number and continuance of religious meetings, no sacrifice of time 
and strength in carrying out plans for the promotion of the great public char- 
ities can atone for the neglect of this, the most appropriate and the most 
important of all ministerial duties, because God's chosen method of saving 
them that believe." f Yet while making pastoral duti'^s subordinate to the 
* Charge to Mr. Taylor. f Ibidem. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. XV 

prcaclilng of the Gospel, his surviving parlslioners will testify " with what 
affectionrte solicitude he watched over their spiritual interests, and how deeply 
he sympathized with them in all the vicissitudes of life," rejoicing with 
them that rejoiced in the social circle, and at the marriage festivity, and 
weeping with them that wept whether iu the chamber of sickness or the 
house of mourning. 

Of bis eagerness to supplement the ministrations of the pulpit in every 
possible way, several illustrations are worthy of record. He established a 
Sabbath School in less than a year after his settlement. May, 1815, when 
such organizations were still rare and hardly more than an experiment, and 
acted as its superintendent for the first season. In 1821, he taught a week- 
day school and " expended the avails of his labor in the purchase of books 
for a church library, that his church might be furnished with increased facilities 
for acquiring the knowledge of duty and of God."* This library was in- 
creased, until it numbered more than two hundred volumes of standard 
theological, and other religious works, and was for many years a source of 
much Interest and profit to a considerable portion of the members of the 
church. At one period, quite early in his ministry, he was wont to call 
together the children of the Parish at stated intervals for catechetical in- 
straction in the meeting-house, and this exercise was attended by a large 
number. At another time he gave lessons to a class in the rules of music, 
to prepare the way for a singing- school, and thus for the improvement of the 
choir. In the Summer and Fall of 1827, he taught a Bible class on the 
Sabbath, in which exercise questions in writing by the members of the class 
were handed to him for answer. 

Seeking thus to do only the legitimate business of his sacred office, he had 
his reward in the occurrence of several seasons of special religious interest 
among his people, and in the addition of two hundred and fourteen persons 
by profession to the church, which at the time of his ordination contained but 
six male members, and only thirty-two in all. As the result of one of these 
revivals of religion which began in September, 1827, and of which more par- 
ticular mention is made elsewhere in this history, eighty-three persons were 
admitted to the church, among them many of the members of the Bible- 
class above referred to. According to the recollection of some of his pa- 
rishioners, his labors during that harvest season were incessant. " His style 
of preaching was the same as usual ; his manner, earnest and impressive, 
manifesting°a deep feeling of his dependence upon the Holy Spirit ; and he 
often expressed the fear that he should prove an unprofitable servant. He at- 
tended most of the inquiry meetings, went from house to house holding several 
short meetings the same day, and conversed freely with his people wherever 

be met them." f 

While aiming at the best possibl e cultivation of bis own field, he could not, 

* Dr. Fitz's funeral sermon. + Deacon Caleb Cogswell. 



XVI BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

however, confine bis thoughts or limit his exertions to that. The same spirit 
of single-hearted devotion to his Master's cause, which animated him in his 
parochial duties, overflowed into imdertakings for the moral and spiritual 
welfare of otiiers. " The arms of his expansive benevolence embraced within 
them the welfare of the town, the country and the world. Whatever related 
to the spiritual good of man and to the glory of God deeply interested him. 
With grief he saw the progress of error, and lamented the wide and increas- 
ing departure of so many in this generation from the faith and practice of 
their pious ancestors."* One indication of his interest in the prosperity of 
the churches in immediate fellowship with bis own, is found in the fact commu- 
nicated by the present scribe of that Body, that "he took an active part in 
the organization of the Essex South Conference of Churches, on the 8th of 
May, 1827, was Moderator of the first meeting after its formation, and was 
rarely absent from its sessions ds long as he lived." But he was especially 
interested in the work of laying anew the foundations of evangelical religion 
in several places in his own neighborhood, participating in this with the late 
Eev. David Jewett, of Sandy Bay, (now Rockport,) with whom he was 
" particularly acquainted for more than thirty years, and intimately associated 
in several objects of benevolence." f "It was their earnest and united 
efforts," writes Rev. Charles S. Porter, the first pastor of the Congregational 
Church at Gloucester Harbor, " aided by a few warm-hearted laymen, that 
called into being the evangelical churches at the Harbor and at Lanesville, 
(then a part of Annisquam parish). Many were their prayerful consulta- 
tions, their journeys, often on foot, to raise funds in behalf of those Christian 
enterprises, and frequent their visitation of those places for the purpose of 
preaching, at first in school-houses, and of conversing in private with the 
people. These churches and that in West Gloucester are so many monuments 
to the zeal, wisdom and fidelity of those men, erected while they still lived 
to perpetuate their memory on earth." " After the incorporation of the Re- 
ligious Society at Lanesville, March G, 1828," adds Rev. Thomas Morong, 
its late pastor, " Dr. Crowell took a lively interest in everything pertaining 
to the project, both by preaching there and by uniting with a few other 
ministers in soliciting the funds necessary for the erection of a house of 
worship. Of the land, upon which that building was erected, he was made 
one of the Trustees. At the organization of the church, August 25, 1830, 
he was present, and took part in the exercises. He is remembered by that 
church as a constant benefactor and friend in their day of small things." 
Respecting similar labors in other places. Rev. Mr. Morong furnishes the fol- 
lowing information drawn from the records of the Essex South Conference, 
of which he is the scribe. " On the 9th of May, 18S2, the Conference, at 
the instance of Dr. Crowell and Mr. Jewett, resolved, ' That this Conference 

* Sermon at the funeral of Dr. Dana. 

t Sermon at the funeral of Rev. David Jewett, July 23, 1841. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. XVll 

views with deep interest and tender concern the moral desolations of the West 
Parish in Gloucester, and recommend to our churches that special efforts be 
immediately made to restore that waste place ; ' and instructed the Standing 
Committee on Domestic Missions, (of which Dr. C. was one,) ' to confer im- 
mediately with such persons in said parish as they may think proper, on the 
subject of erecting a chapel ; and to secure their co-operation in such a way 
as may be best adapted to insure the success of the Gospel in that place.' 
The Committee went vigorously to work, and in a little less than two years 
had the satisfaction of reporting the completion of a house of worship, and 
the organization of an evangelical church in West Gloucester. It required, 
however, a great deal of perseverance and many appeals to the churches be- 
fore the Committee succeeded in discharging the debt that they had contracted 
in their benevolent efforts. I think it safe to say that, but for Dr. Crowell 
and Mr. Jewett, there would have been no evangelical society, and perhaps 
no preached gospel at all in West Gloucester to this day. Dr. Crowell was 
mainly instrumental in 1835, in carrying out similar enterprises in Saugus 
and in Upper, now North Beverly. By his persevering efforts, houses of 
worship were erected in each of those places, and finally paid for. Ever af- 
terwards he was prominent in suggesting and raising the sums which the 
Conference donated towards the support of those four feeble churches ; and 
so late as the 10th of October, 1855, only a month before his death, he was 
made Chairman of a Committee to which was given the oversight of those 
churches, and the payment of money from the general fund in aid of their 
pastors. Besides this, he often visited them, preached in their meeting- 
houses on the Sabbath, and encouraged them to a hopeful perseverance. 
Three of these churches are now self-supporting ; but of all them, it may be 
truly said, that Dr. Crowell was one of the main instruments, under God, of 
their existence." 

From the same motive he identijied himself heartily with all the interests 
of the town of which he was a citizen. In measures or enterprises for its 
greater material prosperity, such as the opening of a canal or the construc- 
tion of mills, he was always ready to co-operate, because he believed that 
thrift and intelligence might be made tributary if not auxiliary to piety. 
And in his researches into the past history of the town, his chief object was 
to show that its political institutions and privileges were the legacy of men of 
the Puritan stamp, and to trace the inseparable connection between these 
civil blessings and that style of character, that his townsmen might be at- 
tracted into likeness to it as the true type of a model citizen. The very first 
New Year's day after his ordination, — being the Sabbath, — he gave from the 
pulpit, in the form of an historical discourse, from Job 8 : 8, "A sketch of 
the history of the Second Parish in Ipswich." To the request for its publi- 
cation he assented, as stated in his prefatory note, " for the benefit chiefly of 
the rising generation of this parish, with the hope that it may serve to in- 



XVlll BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

crease their knowledge of their fathers, and lead them through Divine grace 
to imitate their pious and devout examples." And the chief reflection drawn 
from the subject at the close of the sermon, was " the high value their an- 
cestors attached to the institutions of the gospel." 

To the cause of education in the town he contributed much time, thought 
and labor. His years of service as one of the School Committee, amounted, 
in all to more than a quarter of a century, and he did but reiterate a senti- 
ment which he had always felt and often expressed, when, in his last annual 
school report to the town in April, 1855, he declared that " the education of 
all the children in the town is confessedly the most important business in which 
the town has any concern ; involving its welfare for the present and com- 
ing generations, and in a measure, the good of the country at large, especially 
of those parts of it in which some of our youth may establish themselves 
and. exert an influence for weal or woe." The estimation in which his ser- 
vices in this capacity were held by his fellow-townsmen, may be inferred from 
a passage in the annual report of his surviving associates of the Committee at 
the close of the next school year, in which they " not only deem it appropri- 
ate to pay a passing tribute to his memory because of the official relation which 
he sustained toward them, but feel prompted to do so by their esteem for his 
worth as a citizen, and their appreciation of his services as a friend of educa- 
tion and a public teacher of morals and religion." They also bear witness 
that he had " evinced a most lively interest in the improvement of the schools 
and a paternal solicitude for the general welfare of the rising generations," 
and declare that " his name is cherished among those of the mental and moral 
benefactors of the town."* 

Early convinced of the incalculable evils of all use of intoxicating liquors 
as a beverage, he joined heartily in the movement which accomplished the 
temperance reformation, leading the way in his own parish by his own example 
and precept. " The first public meeting in town with reference to the sub- 
ject was held in his church, and was opened with prayer by him. He was 
one of eight to form the first Temperance Society there, July 16, 1829, and 
to sign the first temperance pledge, exerted himself to have all his church- 
members sign the pledge also, often afterwards preached on the subject, and 
never svxffered his zeal in the cause to flag to the end of his days." f Al- 
though the reform began amid bitter opposition, the influence of that society 
was such that as early as 1833, no licenses were granted by the town. 

And finally it is believed to be no exaggeration, in the view of those who had 
personal acquaintance with him, to assert that in his demeanor in private life 
he approximated the high and beautiful ideal thus sketched by him for another. 
" In your social intercourse with your fellow-men, never forget that you are 
an ambassador of Jesus. Let your conversation, therefore, be as becometh 
the gospel of Christ, that a holy consistency may mark your every step, and 

* Rev. John Prince, School Report for 1855-56. t Mr. U. G. Spoffbrd. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. XIX 

that you may be an example to the believers, in speech, in behavior, in love, 
in faith, in purity ; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to filthy lucre, 
but a lover of good men, — sober, just, holy, temperate. As much as in you 
lies by kindness and forbearance, charity and condescension, live in peace with 
all men ; yet still maintain a suitable firmness and decision of character as a 
servant of God, to whom you are to render your final account."* Were 
any corroboration of this statement needed, it might be furnished in the tes- 
timony of Dr. Fitz, that " in the various circumstances and relations of life, 
decision, prudence and afifection remarkably mingled in his character. He 
was regardful of the feelings and the reputations of others ; but he was bold 
in maintaining what he believed to be a right course of action, and in dispens- 
ing what he considered the eternal truth of God." Those who knew him 
best could not say less of him in this regard, than he expressed in his tribute 
to the memory of his friend, Mr. Jewett : " All the relative and social du- 
ties were discharged by him with habitual tenderness and care. His home 
was the bosom of hospitality and friendship, of peace and love." 

But all his traits of character, thus imperfectly sketched, under these 
various aspects of theologian, preacher, pastor, citizen and friend, were but 
different branches of one and the same root, — an earnest piety shaping his 
entire life, "ruling every hour and act." The Christian spirit from which 
they sprang was like a vital force determining the direction in which his 
powers should be exerted, and inspiring all his use of them, while drawing 
in turn its life from the revealed Word of God. To this central quality, — 
the fashioning power of his character, — as thus sustained, the preacher of the 
sermon at his funeral, referred in the following words : "To him the truths 
of the gospel were ' spirit and life ' He clung to them with all the strength 
of a devoted faith, and with all the ardor of a quenchless love. They were 
his comfort in life ; they wonderfully bore him up under the pressure of re- 
peated and sore bereavements and amid severe bodily sufferings ; and they 
were his support when heart and flesh were failing. He was a man of prayer. 
He kept up constant communion with his Savior. He appeared to live and 
act with eternity in view. With one hand he seemed to put away the objects 
of earth, while with the other he laid hold on those things which are above." 

The ripeness of this Christian character, the maturity of this faith, found 
full proof at the close of his life. " Living and feeling thus," continued 
Dr. Fitz, "he was calm and peaceful wlien the Master he served suddenly 
indicated to him that his work on earth was done. As he approached eternal 
scenes he appeared to be supported by the everlasting arm, and to be sus- 
tained by the bread of heaven. The precious doctrines of the gospel which 
he had so long and so faithfully preached, shed their radiance, and their conso- 
lations around that death-bed scene. ' If there is one thing,' said he, ' which 
gives me more comfort than another at such a time as this, it is the doctrine 

*Cliarge to Mr. Taylor. 



XX BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 

that where the work of repentance and faith is begun in the soul by the Holy 
Spirit, it will be carried on to the day of perfection.' " 

Confidence in the reality and the purity of this Christian temper had ever 
been the strongest tie between the minister and his people during his lifetime, • 
and because of this, while they mourned him when dead, they ' sorrowed 
not even as others which have no hope.' On the day of his burial the 
church was crowded with parishioners and other people of the town, — the 
aged, who " had hoped that he would remain to be their comforter amid in- 
firmities and sorrows, that he would smooth their passage to the grave, and 
commend their departing spirits to God," * — the young, who " had known no 
other pastor than the one whose sleeping dust was then before them, — to wit- 
ness a scene as new as it was painful, fifty-six years having elapsed since 
a mourning congregation had been gathered at the interment of Rev. Mr. 
Cleaveland." f Around his lifeless form, were assembled as mournqrs, nearly 
all the members of the ministerial association to which he belonged. But the 
funeral service "though impressive was not gloomy. The hopeful and the 
spiritual overpowered the painful and the earthly. The craped church ; the 
pensive congregation ; the motionless form before the desk where it had stood 
for nearly half a century as the animated ambassador of Christ ; the long pro- 
cession of old and young that thoughtfully followed to the grave on the open 
road the remains of a teacher so faithful yet so kind ; the silent weeping there ; 
the calm and golden sunshine ; the solemn autumn evening with its clear, im- 
mortal stars that drew on ; — all made one of those rare lulls in this stormy 
life when Christ's voice could be heard, speaking of eternity, saying : ' I 
am the resurrection and the life : He that belie veth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live.' " % 

* Dr. Fitz's funeral sermon. t Ibidem. 

J Rev. J. M. Hoppin, in the Congregationalist of November 30, 1855. 



History of Essex, 



CHAPTER I. 

1634—1700. 

FEOM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE 
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 

The first settlement of this town commenced in 1634. 
Plymouth began to be settled in 1620, Salem in 1627, 
Boston in 1630, and Ipswich in 1633. 

Our ancestors originally came from different parts of 
Eng;land. The reasons assig-ned for leaving; their own 

CD O o 

country and settling in a wilderness, were, " That the 
ancient faith and true worship might be found insep- 
arable companions in their practice, and that their pos- 
terity might be undefiled in religion." * 

Soon after the commencement of the Reformation in 
England, 1534, the Protestants were divided into two 
parties : the one adhering to Luther, the other to Calvin. 
The former chose to secede from the church of Rome in 
a very gradual manner, while the latter were desirous of 
affecting an entire reformation at once. They contended 
earnestly for the "scripture purity," in worship, as well as 
in doctrine. This, together with their gravity of deport- 
ment and pious conversation, obtained for them the name 
of Puritans. The Lutheran party, however, prevailed, and 
their sentiments were made the basis of the Established, 

♦Morse and Parish's Hist, of N. E. 



f 

22 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

or National Church. With this church the Puritans con- 
tinued in fellowship many years, although they constantly 
lamented its popish forms, and sighed for a thorough ref- 
ormation. At length, in 1602, a number of them formally 
separated from the Established Church, and set up for 
themselves a more pure form of worship. The conse- 
quence was, a violent and cruel persecution of them by 
the bishops and authorities of the land. Not suffered to 
live in peace where they were, nor permitted to depart, 
they endured many hardships and trials. But in 1607, a 
considerable number of them succeeded in leaving their 
country, and removed, some to Amsterdam, and some to 
Leyden, in Holland. Grieved with the corrupt examples 
around them, and fearing lest their children should be 
contaminated therewith, they resolved on a removal to 
the desolate regions of North America. Accordingly, in 
1620, August 5th, they embarked at Delft-Haven, near 
Leyden, and, in November following, arrived on the bleak 
and barren shores of Cape Cod. Here they anchored for 
a short time only, and in the following month removed to 
a place which they called Plymouth. The persecution 
still continuing in England, and, in addition to the former 
corruptions of the Church, a "Book of Sports on the Hoi}'- 
Sabbath of God " being required to be read by the min- 
isters of their respective assemblies, great numbers of 
others, eminent for their piety, talents, and learning, em- 
barked for this country. In 1627, Captain John Endicott, 
with about one hundred persons, arrived at Naumkeag, 
afterwards Salem. In June, of the following j^ear, they 
were joined by two hundred "more, under the ministry of 
the Rev. Messrs. Higginson, Skelton, and Bright. A part 
of these soon after removed, and began the settlement of 
Charlestown. In the Summer of 1630, about fifteen hun- 
dred persons, with Governor Winthrop at their head, ar- 
rived at Salem ; wdience they proceeded to Charlestown, 
and soon settled Boston, Watertown, and Roxbury. 



1634—1700.] FIRST SETTLERS OF CnEBACCO. 23 

"In March, 1633, J. Wintlirop, a son of the Governor, 
with twelve men, began a jDlantation at Agawam ; which 
afterwards was called Ipswich. The next year, a church 
was gathered, being the ninth in the colony. In April, 
the people being destitute of a minister, the Governor 
traveled on foot from Boston to Ipswich, spent the Sab- 
bath with them, and exercised by way of prophecy"* or 
exhortation. In 1634, the Rev. Nathaniel Ward came 
over from England, and became their first minister. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF CHEBACCO. 

The same year William White and Goodman Brad- 
street removed toward Chebacco River, where lands were 
granted them by the town. Thus commenced the first 
settlement of this town in 1634. History gives us no 
account of these two families. The name of William 
White is first met with in 1635, in the transactions of 
Ipswich, as one of its inhabitants. So also are several of 
the name of Bradstreet : but which of them settled in 
this part of Ipswich, is uncertain. The land, which these 
first two settlers occupied, lay in Avhat is now the north 
part of Essex. The next year, October, 1635, Mr. John 
Cogswell had three hundred acres granted him by the 
town, " in the farther part of Chebacco." This grant was 
bounded on the west by what is now the main road from 
Ipswich to Gloucester, and the brook which runs on the 
east side of the old burying-ground, and the creek run- 
ning to the river ; on the south by the river ; on the east 
by the water, and on the north by the brook which runs 
on the north side of the farm now owned by Colonel John 
P. Choate. 

Mr. Cogswell, before his emigration, was a prosperous 
merchant in London. He sailed for this country from 
Bristol, England, May 23, 1635, in the ship Angel Gabriel. 
On his passage he was wrecked in a violent storm on the 

* Hist, of New England. 



24 HISTORY OF ESSEX. * [Chap. 1. 

coast of Maine, in Pemaquid Bay. By this catastrophe, he 
lost a part of his property ; but escaped safely to land with 
his family, where they lived for a short time in a tent. 
Leaving his family in the tent, he took passage for Boston, 
where he procured a vessel denominated a barque, com- 
manded by Captain Gallop, and returned to Pemaquid 
Bay for his family and goods. He arrived at Ipswich in 
August, and removed to this place in the following Octo- 
ber. His furniture and other goods were more than could 
be stored at one time in the vessel, from Pemaquid to 
Ipswich. From an inventory taken at his decease, it ap- 
pears that his furniture brought from England, consisted 
of beds, suits of curtains, table-linen, damasks, Turkey 
carpets, silver plate, etc. His wife's name was Elizabeth. 
Their children were born in London ; one was buried 
there, and the remaining seven, — William, John, Edward, 
Mary, Hannah, Abigail and Sarah, — they brought with 
them to this place. He had the title of Mr., and his wife, 
Mrs., which were given only to persons of some distinction. 
Their daughter Mary married Godfrey Armitage ; Hannah 
married Charles Waldo, and removed to Chelmsford ; Abi- 
gail married Thomas Clark ; and Sarah married Simon 
Tuthill. Their first house, which was of necessity built 
of logs, stood, as tradition says, about thirty rods south- 
east of the house occupied by the late Colonel J. P. Choate. 
Other settlers arrived, no doubt, soon after this. But 
we have no record even of their names, as residents of 
this part of Ipswich. Mr. Felt, in his history of Ipswich, 
in general, gives a valuable table of the names of the 
early settlers, with the year in wdiich these names are first 
met with in the town records ; but which, of course, does 
not specifiy in what part of the town they lived. Among 
the names which are known to have been long prevalent 
hi this place, are the following : 1634, John Perkins ; 1635, 
Robert Andrews, Wm. Goodhue, George Giddings ; 1638, 
John Burnham ; 1639, Andrew Story ; 1643, Thomas Low, 



1634—1700.] VISIT TO THE FIKST SETTLERS. 25 

1648, John Choate. The presumption is, that these were 
among the early settlers of this southern section of Ipswich, 
called by the Indians, Chebacco. 

FIRST ROAD FROM IPSWICH TO GLOUCESTER. 

Owing to the difficulty of making bridges in those early 
days, the roads were very circuitous, avoiding, as much as 
possible, the crossing of brooks and creeks. The road 
from Ipswich through this place to Gloucester, came by 
the house now occupied by Darius Cogswell, at the head 
of Choate's brook, entered the present Ipswich road, and 
proceeded as far as the lane, which leads to Colonel J. P. 
Choate's, which it entered, and passed on to the river by 
the house of Adam Boyd ; crossed the river by ferry, pro- 
ceeded in a southerly direction over the hills, to the head of 
Clark's Creek, thence by the present dwelling of Elias An- 
drews, thence to Gloucester, west parish, along by the site 
of the first meeting-house to a ferry, which crossed to the 
"up-in-town" parish, then the first parish in Gloucester.* 

VISIT TO THE FIRST SETTLERS. 
Leaving for awhile this dry, but necessary detail of 
facts, yet still keeping close to the lines of truth, let me 
invite you to go back two hundred years, and survey the 
place as it then was, and look in upon the settlers, and see 
how they managed in-doors and out. The first house 
which you visit, is that of Mr. Cogswell. Viewing the 
building, as you approach it, you perceive it is built wholly 
of logs, in a square form, much as children build a house 
of' cobs ; the under and upper sides of the logs being 
roughly hewn, that they may lie somewhat contiguous, 
and not admit too many of the rays of the sun, or too 
much of the keen air of Winter, the ends are notched to 
fasten them together, and the roof covered with thatch. 

*For evidence that the first road to Gloucester went by this dwelling of Elias 
Andrews, see John Burnliara's deed, near the close of this chapter. 

4 



26 HISTOllY OF ESSEX. Chap. 1. 

The whole building, as it presents itself to your view, 
appears to be from twenty to thirty feet square. You 
knock at the door, and it is opened by Mrs. C, who gives 
you a frank and hearty reception. You are somewhat 
surprised to see in your maternal ancestor, not a Yankee, 
but an English face, — round, staid, and easy, and not like 
her posterity, sharp, busy, and care-worn. Her manners 
are English of the best stamp, for she has moved in good 
society at home, though not among the nobility. Her 
dress is neat and handsome ; of the fashion of the times, 
though to your view exceedingly antiquated. Her whole 
appearance, and the appearance of the furniture, contrasts 
somewhat strangely with the rude appearance of the 
rough logs; of which the floor, as w^ell as the walls of 
the house, are built. You look up and see the naked 
poles of the roof, and the thatch which lies upon them. 
At the end of the building, opposite the door, is the fire- 
place, constructed of rough stones, the smoothest and 
best that could be found in their natural state. In front 
of a huge back-log, eight or ten feet in length, is a bright 
and glowing fire, sending forth tremendous heat from 
sticks proportioned in size and length to the log behind. 
You plant your chair midway between the fire and the 
door, and can hardly tell by which you are most annoyed, 
the rushing of the winds through the crevices of the logs 
in your rear, or the irresistible heat in front. But by 
often twisting and turning, you contrive to maintain your 
position between such opposite and powerful foes. Dur- 
ing the conversation with Mrs. C, and her four interesting 
daughters, all busy with their knitting, you glance occa- 
sionally at the objects around you. On one side of the 
house, you observe some handsome curtains, stretched 
quite across, which, w4th one at right angles in the middle, 
form two bed-rooms, one in each corner of that side of 
the house. The chairs in the sitting-room, or kitchen, are 
but few, on account of the difficulty of bringing them 



1634—1700.] VISIT TO THE FIRST SETTLERS. 27 

across the deep. But seats are supplied by the numerous 
trunks and boxes, in which they transported their beds, 
bedding, clothing, table-linen, damasks, and carpets. As 
the floor is too rough for their Turkey-wrought carpets, 
they remain yet unpacked. But the time for supper 
draws near, and Mrs. C. and her eldest daughter are busy- 
in preparing the repast. The old English kettle is hung 
over the fire, with contents for a plentiful supper of bean 
broth, to which, as you are a visitor, a nice cake of Indian 
hominy is added, — which Mrs. C. contrives to bake by cau- 
tiously approaching the glowing fire with her face more 
than half turned away, to preserve her eyes. Presently 
the father, and two of his sons, come in from their field 
labor. Harvesting has commenced, and they are reaping 
the first fruits of their toil in the wilderness. They have 
not yet wholly lost the delicate appearance resulting from 
city life and manners ; though the perils of the ocean, and 
the hardships of the wilderness, have done something to 
give them a darker hue, and more athletic appearance. 

Labor in the open air, in the cool season of Autumn, 
has given them a keen appetite. The table is now set 
for the social meal, covered with elegant table-linen, and 
spread with basins of pewter, and spoons of silver. The 
broth is poured into an elegant vase, from which each is 
supplied by a silver ladle. The family gather around, 
and stand with reverence while the head of the family 
craves a blessing from the Author of all their mercies. 

Supper being ended, and the table removed, all are 
seated for the evening ; the females near the light of a 
pine torch, for the purpose of sewing and knitting, and 
the males around the room at their pleasure. 

A neighbor calls in to spend a social hour. We will 
suppose it to be Goodman Bradstreet. The conversation 
turns at once on the latest news from their father-land, 
where they have left many dear friends, and in the gov- 
ernment and prosperity of which, they yet feel a most 



28 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. L 

tender and lively interest. Does King Charles still con- 
tinue his despotic course, despoiling his subjects of their 
dearest rights, and provoking them to insurrection and 
civil war ? Is Archbishop Laud as full of bitterness and 
persecution towards the Puritans as ever ? are questions 
eagerly asked, and answered affirmatively, in sad tones, 
from the testimony of those who have recently arrived. 
From the discussion of English politics, they turn to their 
own local affairs, and touch upon the apparently peaceable 
disposition of their savage neighbors, whose wigwams are 
close at hand ; the danger that would arise from their 
getting possession of knives and fire-arms ; the dangers 
already existing from the ferocious beasts of the Avoods 
near by; the difficulty of preventing cattle and sheep from 
being devoured by them ; the difficulty, too, of cultivating 
the soil while the stumps are so thick, and there are only 
two ploughs for the use of the whole town. With joy and 
gratitude they advert to the goodness of God, in prosper- 
ing their crops of Indian corn and English grain ; preserv- 
ing their lives and health, amidst so many exposures ; and 
allowing them the inestimable privileges of civil and re- 
ligious freedom, even in the solitude and perils of the 
wilderness. 

When Goodman Bradstreet has retired, and the evening 
is well-nigh spent, the good man of the house takes the 
family Bible, and reads from it aloud those sacred truths, 
which at their London fireside had been their comfort and 
support ; which had cheered them on the stormy ocean, 
and were now their consolation and joy ; and then, with 
much fervency, offers the evening sacrifice of prayer and 
praise, while all stand round in the silent and solemn 
attitude of worship. 

You are then shown to your lodging for the night, — 
the bed reserved for visitors, enclosed with curtains to 
exclude the night air, and the too early light of the morn- 
ing. As you lie upon your pillow, curiosity prompts you 



1634—1700.] INDIAN WIGWAMS AND CUSTOMS. 29 

to draw aside the curtain, and take a peep through the 
shrunken logs. A beautiful bright star meets your eye 
with many others less brilliant. The woods resound with 
the hideous yells of beasts : among which the howling of 
a pack of wolves is predominant, and waxes louder and 
louder, till they seem at length to be close by your bed. 
With the bleating of the sheep, the bellowing of the cat- 
tle, and the barking of the stout mastiffs in the yard, — all 
is bustle, stir and alarm. The family is in motion. Mr. 
Cogswell and his eldest son seize their rifles, and discharge 
them in quick succession at the door. The flashing of the 
powder, and the strange report of the guns soon start ofl* 
the savage pack ; not, however, without their taking with 
them one or two poor sheep, partly devoured. 

After a refreshing night's sleep, you rise with the morn- 
ing sun, and breakfast and family worship being ended, 
you walk out to survey the woodland scenery. A dense 
forest of birch, oak, chestnut and maple, the growth of 
centuries, meets your eye in every direction. Here and 
there you see a cleared sjDot, which the Indians have 
burned away, and use for growing corn, or which the new 
settlers have cleared up for tillage. The road before you, 
towards the river, winds about, to avoid the larger stumps, 
and on the low and muddy parts of it, the straight por- 
tions of small trees are laid, covered here and there with 
a little earth, or with a plenty of soft brush. You look 
over on your right into one of the corn-fields, leaning as 
you look, not on substantial stone walls, but on such slen- 
der fencing of poles and brush, as the necessity of the 
times permits, and wonder that amidst such a multitude 
of burnt stumps, anything can be made to grow by plough- 
ing or spading the earth. 

INDIAJT WIGWAMS AND CUSTOMS. 
Following an Indian foot-path through the forest, you 
come out at a wide plot of ground, where are some dozen 



30 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

wigwams, clustered on the sunny side of a hill, which over- 
looks the marsh and Chebacco River. As you approach 
their huts witli the measured step and cautious eye, which 
the sight of a savage always inspires, you hesitate whether 
to go forward or turn back. But curiosity prevails, and 
you begin to examine their premises. Their wigwams are 
made of bark, fastened by strong withs to poles driven 
into the earth, in a broad circle at the bottom, and l)rought 
nearly together at the top, to save the necessity of mak- 
ing a roof Leaving a hole at the top for the smoke to 
escape, the fire is kindled in the center beneath ; around 
which, on the ground, the indolent men are lying or sitting, 
while their squaws, with their papooses, are abroad, some 
gathering fuel, some bringing in pumpkins and beans, 
some drying the fish, and the venison taken by their lords 
in their last excursion. The skin of some animal tied 
about their waists, is all their clothing. In one wigwam, 
into which you take a peep, you see the men busily 
engaged in gambling ; hazarding, and often losing every 
particle of proj^erty they possessed. 

In another direction, you see a company of men, wo- 
men and children, gathered round a powah. He is per- 
forming, to their astonishment, some of his wonderful 
feats. He can make the rocks dance, and the water 
burn, and turn himself into a blazing man. He can 
change a dry snake skin into a living snake, to be seen, 
felt, and heard. All these things you see him do, and 
are ready to exclaim, " There is no new thing under 
the sun ! That which is done is that which shall be 
done." But hark ! What loud and bitter cry is that, 
issuing from one of the huts ? It is a lamentation for 
the dead, made ever and anon by the mourning family, 
and the neighbors assembled with them. The man of 
the hut has died, and his burial is to take place before 
evenino;. 

It is now time to satisfy the cravings of hunger, and 



1634—1700.] FISH WEAR. 31 

the women are busy preparing food. You are inquisitive 
to see how it is done. At a little distance from the wig;- 
warn, the fire for cooking is kindled. One is moistening 
some corn, which she has bruised in a hollow stone with 
a stone pestle, by pouring water upon it from a dried 
pumpkin shell, and spreading it for baking upon a thin 
flat stone. Another is boiling meat in a wooden vessel, 
by putting hot rocks in the water with the meat, and 
changing them often. The wooden vessel is a log rudely 
hollowed out by a stone gouge. As hospitality to stran- 
gers is the Indian's pride, you are, of course, invited to 
partake of the repast. It is in the wigwam, where the 
men are seated upon the ground in a circle, with the food 
in the centre. You contrive to sit with them, though with 
■far less grace, and eat with them out of the common dish, 
without knife or fork, or salt, or drink. The women stand 
round till their lords have finished, and then in a like pos- 
ture eat up what remains. 

After thus dining, in Indian style, you bend your course 
to the banks of the river, where are a group of Indian 
children frolicking in the water, some not over three 
years, swimming like ducklings. Numerous canoes of 
birch bark are gliding up and down the river, for the pur- 
pose of " clamming " and fishing. The river will never 
be more lively a hundred years hence. 

FISH WEAR. 

As you walk on the bank of the river, you see a con- 
trivance for catching the river fish. It is called a wear, 
and belongs to John Perkins, Jr. It consists of stone 
walls, extending towards each other down the stream, till 
they come in contact at an angle of forty-five degrees. 
At this angle a trap is set, made of hoops and twigs, in 
which great numbers of fish are taken. Mr. Perkins is 
granted this privilege for seven years, beginning with 
1636, and is to sell his alewives at 5s. for 1,000. Ilicliard 



32 niSTORT OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

Kent is also allowed to build another wear, having one 
already in operation. 

On your return to the hill of wigwams, you see a crowd 
collected for the funeral. The mourners have their faces 
painted black. The corpse rests by the side of the grave, 
till they join again in their savage howl. Tears roll freely 
down the cheeks of old and young. The body is laid in 
the grave ; and another dismal cry is heard. The mat on 
which the deceased died, is then spread over the body. 
His tomahawk and spear, and whatever was most precious 
to him, is buried with him ; but his garment of skin they 
hang upon a tree near by, never again to be touched, but 
to perish with the body. 

As you turn aw^ay from this solemn scene, deeply af- 
fected by their dark superstition, and their destitution 
of the light of Revelation, and of all the comforts and 
blessings of civilized life, you are more sensible than ever 
of your obligations to Him who made you, and who died 
to redeem you. Returning by the road that you came, 
you pass a thick swamp, and see just before you a bear 
w^ith her cubs just entering it, and are glad that her eye 
was turned from you, till she was on her way through the 
swamp. A little further along, you see a wolf caught in 
a trap, or rather held fast by a line. He cannot pull 
away ; for the hooks in his mouth attached to the line, 
cause him great agony. These hooks, four in number, had 
been bound together by a thread, some wool wrapped 
about them, and then dipped in melted tallow, till they 
formed a substance as large as an egg ; which has proved 
a bait to the unsuspecting animal. 

Prolonging your visit for a day or two in Mr. Cogswell's 
family, you call also upon their neighbors, who, though few 
and far between, are treasures of comfort to each other, 
abounding in all the sweet charities of good neighborhood. 
Your walk at this time lies in a north and north-west di- 
rection, on the road which leads to the centre of Ipswich. 



1634—1700.] CUSTOMS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 33 

The first house which you come to, is William Goodhue's. 
He has just moved into the place, and entered his new log 
building, which is about a quarter of a mile north of Mr. 
Cogswell's. A half mile beyond William Goodhue's in 
the same direction, is the Bradstreet house ; and nearly a 
mile farther, on the dark and solitary road through the 
woods to Ipswich, is William White's. By your brief 
visits to each of these families, you learn that they are 
thoroughly Puritan in their principles, and English in 
their manners and customs. Their children were born in 
England, and have been thus far well instructed and 
brought up. Their houses, though built of logs, are com- 
fortable and well furnished. Having spent the day pleas- 
antly in these happy and hospitable families, you return 
to Mr. C 's. It is Saturday evening. The pious household 
are making preparation for the coming Sabbath, the 

" Day of all the week the best," 

and for the proper observance of which, chiefly, they left 
their native land, and settled in this wilderness. Nothing 
is left undone which it is practicable to do, by way of 
preparation for holy time. On Sabbath morning, having 
risen at an early hour, all get ready with their best ap- 
parel to attend public worshij) in the body of the town. 
The mother is mounted upon a horse, with the youngest 
daughter behind her ; while the other three daughters and 
three sons, with their father at their head, travel on foot. 
The mother and daughters, however, ride alternately, as 
fatigue requires, or choice directs. The father and eldest 
son go armed, to guard against the attacks of wild beasts. 
The road is long and rough ; but love for the house of God 
lightens the toil. They are joined on the way by the 
families of their neighbors, and the excitement of social 
affections, and suitable conversation, makes the way seem 
short. 

In less than two hours, you are at the door of the meet- 
5 



34 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 



t 



ing-house, a spacious log building, but filled with many a 
warm heart, and lighted up with many a heavenly coun- 
tenance. The service on both parts of the day, consists 
of prayer, singing, and preaching. The preacher is Mr. 
Ward, the pastor of the church. His discourses are full 
of evangelical sentiment, calculated to humble the sinner, 
and exalt the Saviour ; and you know not which most to 
admire, the lucid arrangement of the excellent matter, 
sustained at every point by Scripture quotations, or the 
fluency and fervor of the delivery. You mark, as a pe- 
culiarity of the times, that one of the elders or deacons, 
who sit in a pew adjoining the pulpit, in front, reads the 
psalm, one line at a time, and all in the assembly, that are 
able, join with him in the singing. 

The services being ended at an early hour, the intermis- 
sion having been short, you commence your return with the 
pilgrim family. Deeply interested in the preacher, you are 
prompted, as you walk by the side of Mr. C.,.to ask of him 
some account of the man. He cheerfully complies, and 
gives you the following particulars of his beloved pastor, 
as he has learned them from an authentic source : 

" Mr. Nathaniel Ward was born at Haverhill, England, in 1570. He 
was educated at one of our principal universities, and after having been for 
some time a student and practitioner of the law, he traveled in Holland, 
Germany, Prussia, and Denmark. At the university of Heidelberg, he be- 
came acquainted with the celebrated scholar and divine, David Pareus, and 
by conversing with him, was induced to abandon the profession of law, and 
to commence the study of divinity. After being occupied for some time, in 
theological pursuits, at Heidelberg, he returned to England, and was settled 
in the ministry at Standon, in Hertfordshire. He was ordered before the 
bishop, December 12, 1631, to answer for his non-conformity, and refusing 
to comply with the requisitions of the church, he was at length forbidden to 
continue in the exercise of his clerical office. In April, 1634, he left his 
native country, and arrived here in the following June ; and was soon settled 
over us as our pastor, being sixty-four years of age." 

Having reached Mr. C's. house, and supped with the 
family, you close the day as it was begun, with household 



1634—1700.] CHAKACTER OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. "35 

devotions, and with conversation suited to make you more 
useful and happy on earth, and better prepared for the 
world to come. On the following day you take leave of 
the family, in which you have made so pleasant a visit, 
resolving that you will return again, if you live, and see 
what progress your venerated ancestors have made, in the 
clearing of land, in the arts of husbandry, and the com- 
forts of life. 

CHARACTER OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

In the meantime, the settlement and improvement of 
the place gradually advanced. The persecution of the 
dissenters in England continuing, great numbers of them 
embarked for this country. But in 1640 the tide of emi- 
gration, in a great measure, ceased to flow. The spirit of 
liberty, and even of republicanism had begun then to 
show itself in the British Parliament, and hope was cher- 
ished by the Puritans that they should soon enjoy as much 
civil and religious freedom there as here. It was esti- 
mated at the time, that up to 1640, about four thousand 
families, consisting of twenty-one thousand souls, had ar- 
rived in two hundred and ninety-eight ships. The ex- 
pense of the removal of these families was estimated at 
£192,000 sterling, which, including what they paid at 
home, and to the Indians here, was a dear purchase of 
their lands.* 

Of these emigrants, Ipswich received a proportional 
share, both as to numbers, intelligence, and piety. John- 
son, as quoted by Felt, remarks of Ipswich, as early as 
1646, "The peopling of this town is by men of good rank 
and quality, many of them having tlie yearly revenue of 
large lands in England, before they came to this wilder- 
ness." Cotton Mather says of Ipswich, in 1638, " Here 
was a renowned church, consisting mostly of such illumi- 
nated Christians, that their pastors, in the exercise of 

* History of New England. 



36 HISTORY, OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

their ministry, might think that they had to do not so 
much with disciples as judges." Of Mr. Rogers he says : 
" His colleague here was the celebrious Norton ; and glori- 
ous was the church of Ipswich now in two such extraordi- 
nary persons, with their different gifts, but united hearts, 
carrying on the concerns of the Lord's kingdom in it." 

FIRST MINISTERS OF IPSWICH. 

As Mr. Ward had resigned his office by reason of ill 
health, the church elected Mr. John Norton as his suc- 
cessor in 1636, and two years after, chose Mr. Rogers for 
his colleague. They were in office together, one as pastor, 
and the other as teacher ; a distinction chiefly nominal, as 
their official duties were much the same. Mr. Ros-ers, 
(Nathaniel,) was born at Haverhill, England, in 1598. 
He was a descendant of John Rogers, the martyr; was 
educated at Emanuel College, where he was eminent both 
as a scholar and a Christian. He came to this country at 
the age of forty, in company with many others, who all 
settled with him at Ipswich. Mr. Norton was born at 
Starford, England, in 1606 ; entered the university of 
Cambridge at fourteen; removed to this country in 1635; 
resided in Boston about a year, and then settled in Ipswich, 
at the age of thirty. In 1652, he removed to Boston, and 
was settled as successor to Mr. John Cotton. 

Mr. Ward, the first minister of Ipswich, continued to 
preach in Ipswich occasionally after he resigned his office 
as pastor of that church. In 1638 he was appointed by 
the General Court, on a committee to prepare a code of 
laws. In 1639 he sends them the result of his labors. 
Copies of it were sent to the several towns for the consid-- 
eration of the freemen. It was adopted by the General 
Court in 1641. It consisted of a hundred laws, called the 
body of liberties. Mr. Ward, it will be remembered, was 
an eminent lawyer before he became a minister, which 
was one reason, doubtless, why he was appointed on this 



1634—1700.] ELECTION'S AND CITIZENSHIP. . 37 

committee. In 1640, with some men of Newbury, he 
commenced the settlement of Haverhill, where afterwards 
his son John was settled in the ministry. Having been 
in this country eleven years, he returned to England, at 
the age of seventy-five, and became minister of Shenfield, 
in Essex County, where he lived eight years, and died 
aged eighty-three. He published, after he returned to 
England, several tracts, and a book, entitled " The Simple 
Cobbler of Agawam," a satirical and witty performance. 

ELECTIONS AND CITIZENSHIP. 

In 1634, a law was passed, that the whole body of free- 
men meet in Boston, from all the towns, at the General 
Court of Election, and choose the magistrates, including 
Governor, and LieutenantrGovernor. In 1636, Ipswich, 
and five other towns are allowed to keep a sufficient 
guard of freemen at home from such a court, and to for- 
ward their proxies. This practice continued for about 
thirty years, when it went into disuse, and the present 
usage was in substance adopted. None but freemen could 
hold offices or vote for rulers. To become a freeman, each 
person was required to become a member of some Congre- 
gational church. This was doubtless owing to the peculiar 
situation of our ancestors at that time. They had fled 
from the persecution of the Episcopal church at home. 
Now if they had allowed men of that church, or any other 
church, hostile to religious freedom, to take the lead in 
their aftairs here, in their feeble state, the result might 
have been the bringing in of the same persecuting po\ver 
of the bishops, from which they had already suffered so 
much, and this would have defeated the very end for 
which they came here. They might as well have re- 
mained under the persecuting power of the bishops in 
their father-land, as to have come to this wilderness, and 
allowed that power to follow them, and gain the ascend- 
ancy over them. Their only security against this danger 



38 ^ HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap.]. 

seemed to be in a law that every voter, and every candi- 
date for office, should be a member of some Congregational 
church ; i. e., a church, whose principles of government 
are wholly democratic. Others might reside among them 
unmolested, but not take the lead, or have any manage- 
ment in their civil or religious affairs. Some have taken 
occasion from this to reproach them, as if they were not 
willing to grant that liberty to others which they claimed 
for themselves. But they stood in this matter only in . 
self-defence. They had bought, with a great price, their 
tract of land in this part of the wide wilderness, and were 
at a great expense and suffering in settling on it, for the 
express purpose of enjoying their own religion in their 
own way. The wilderness was wide enough for all. Oth- 
ers might choose their portion in it, and set up what wor- 
ship they pleased, and conduct their own aftairs in their 
own way, on territory, the sovereignty of which they had 
fully and fairly acquired. But they could not be allowed 
to reside on the lands of the Puritans, at the hazard of 
robbing them of their dearest rights and privileges. They 
could not, therefore, become voters or rulers among them 
without complying with certain specified conditions : such 
conditions as our fathers deemed necessary to protect their 
own liberties. The same, for substance, is true with us at 
this day, though the conditions of citizenship are not the 
same, because our circumstances are different. The times 
of our fathers were those of infancy and weakness. The 
least tendency to mutiny in the infant colony, placed 
them in great jeopardy. As on board of a vessel, the 
safety of the whole depends on the suppression of the 
first manifestation of a mutinous spirit, and even of the 
promulgation of principles tending to mutiny, by the 
severest measures, if necessary ; so in these infant settle- 
ments of our fathers, with savages in the midst of them, 
with Avild beasts around them, with scarcely any means of 
defence, and themselves few and far between, the preserva- 



1634—1700.] CITIZENSHIP. 39 

tion of their lives, and of their clearest rights and liberties, 
depended on their promptly putting down all opposition to 
their civil government, and suppressing all insurrectionary 
publications. 

Hence, when Roger Williams, a Welsh emigrant, ap- 
peared in 1631, and refused the oath of fidelity to the 
government, and taught others to follow his example ; 
and taught that their patent obtained of King Charles, 
was invalid ; and that it w^as wrong to take an oath in a 
court of justice, or anywhere else, unless . you first knew 
that the person administering the oath, was a converted 
man ; and other things equally absurd and dangerous to 
the civil peace, he was sent out of their colony, and pro- 
ceeding to another part of the wilderness, he began the 
settlement of Rhode Island ; which he might as well have 
done before attempting to overturn the government of 
Massachusetts as afterwards.* 

And thus, too, when the Quakers appeared in 1656, with 
the declaration that no government was lawful unless ad- 
ministered by them, " That every other government but 
their own w^as a tree to be cut down,"t and carried out 
these insurrectionary principles, by riotous and treasonable 
acts, — they were sent out of the colony. On their return- 
ing with the same determination to overturn, if possible, 
the civil authorities, they were sent out again, with the 
warning that if they returned the third time, they would 
be subjected to capital punishment. In their infatuation, 
they came back, and four of them were hung on Boston 
Common ; just as incorrigible rebels against civil govern- 

* It is a remarkable fact, tliat Rhode Island, actuated by the principles of self, 
defence, imitated Massachusetts in that very thing, in which Roger Williams had so 
reproachfully condemned them; viz. excluding those rehgionists, whom they be- 
lieved to be dangerous to civil liberty, from the privileges of freemen, or the right 
of choosing, or being chosen, civil officers. And this, too, in violation of the char- 
ter which they had just received from England. In March, 16G3, they enacted a 
law, in which they say, " That all men of competent estates, and of civil conversa- 
tion, Roman Catholics only excepted, shall be admitted freemen. — Hist, of N. E. 

t History of New England. 



40 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

ment would now be treated, — and yet this is called in all 
our school histories, the persecution of the Quakers ! We 
have alluded to this matter because the reputation of the 
first settlers of Ipswich, and of this place, then a part of 
Ipswich, as well as of the colonists in general, is so deeply 
concerned in it. It seems to be time that their children 
should know, that the memory of their justly venerated 
sires is not deserving of this foul stigma, which some have 
endeavored to fasten upon it. 

PEQUOT WAR.— 1637. 
The Pequots inhabited the borders of Connecticut River, 
from its mouth to within a few miles of Hartford. They 
were a fierce, cruel, and warlike tribe. They had mur- 
dered several Encj-lish families in that neiorhborhood ; and 
by seeking a union with other savage tribes, threatened 
to destroy the whole of the English colonists. This 
aroused the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Con- 
necticut, to unite, and make common cause against so de- 
structive a foe. Connecticut raised 90, Plymouth 40, and 
Massachusetts 200 troops. The quota of Ipswich, for this 
army is 23. They are drawn out by lot. The names of 
all the inhabitants, fit to bear arms, are placed in a box by 
the proper authorities, and drawn out, one by one, until 
the number to be drafted is completed. An order is then 
sent to each of the drafted men, to appear on parade on 
a certain day and hour, prepared to march in pursuit of 
the enemy. The summons is doubtless received with 
calmness and courage by men, who felt that the peace and 
security of their wives and children, and the welfare of 
the country, depended on their subduing this haughty and 
cruel foe. No little agitation and solicitude, however, is 
felt by the families in view of their husbands, fathers, and 
brothers, being called to the battle-ground, with the un- 
certainty of ever seeing them again. Three of the drafted 
men were from this part of the town,-^Andrew Story, 



1634—1700.] JOHN- BURNHAM. 41 

Robert Cross, and John Burnham. Story probably lived 
at the Falls. Burnham lived on the farm now owned by 
Enoch and Caleb Haskell. His land, as appears from an 
ancient deed, extended to the head of the creek, then 
called Clark's Creek, and thence south-easterly, toward 
Gloucester line, including the farm now owned by Ezra 
Perkins, and joining upon the school farm. He was the 
progenitor of the Burnhams in this place. Some of his 
descendants inherited and lived on that tract of land 
until within thirty years. Others settled at an early 
period on land now owned by Timothy Andrews, Win- 
throp Burnham, Daniel Mears, William Low, and others, — 
making a circuit near the woods, from the south-west 
corner of the school farm, over Rocky Hill, to Chebacco 
Pond. 

Cross, we suppose, must have lived on a tract of land 
east of John Burnham's ; probably on the farm now owned 
by Jonathan Lufkin ; since the town records mention a 
road, ordered to be laid out in 1657, from his house to the 
farther (south) side of Chebacco Ferry; the same road 
probably which is now from Caleb Haskell's, by the East 
school-house, to Jonathan Lufkin's. 

The persons above named, went to the war, and returned 
in safety; as we find them mentioned two years afterwards, 
am.ong those w^ho were to receive from the town, a grant 
of land from two to ten acres each, for their services in 
the Pequot war. 

We will visit Mr. Burnham's, and hear from his own 
lips, the story which he may be supposed to have related 
to his family and friends, on his return. It is a Summer 
evening, and the family and visitors are seated in the yard 
of the log house, uj)on logs conveniently arranged, when 
Mr. B. thus begins : 

"You remember the morning when neighbor Cross and I set out for the 
army, with our blankets and provisions strapped to our backs, and guns in 
hand. As we passed neighbor Cogswell's, he sliook us heartily by the hand, 
6 



42 IIISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

and said it was a righteous cause, and God would prosper us in it. They 
saw us coming at Goodman Bradstreet's, and the wliole family came to Lid 
us God-speed, and wish us a safe return. When we reached the corner of 
Belcher's lane, we found Andrew Story, from the Falls, waiting to join us. 
It was a painfiil and laborious expedition which was before us, attended with 
many anxieties as to whether we should ever see home again or not. But 
we encouraged one another in the Lord, believing that he had called us to 
the work of defending our lives and liberties against the attacks of a savage 
foe. We reached Ipswich Common, a little before the time appointed, and 
found there some of the drafted men of Ipswich, and those from Rowley and 
Newbury. Very soon Captain Dennison, and the rest of our company, 
came upon the ground. A number of the settlers in the neighborhood, with 
our beloved pastor, came also to take leave of us. W^e formed a line, and 
our captain having exercised us for awhile, requested our minister, Mr. 
Ward, to give us a word of exhortation, and offer a prayer, which he did. 
We then took up our march for the Pequot country. Having reached Salem 
Village, (North Danvers,) we were joined by the drafted men from Salem, 
and as we marched on, several others fell into our ranks. We reached 
Charlestown late in the evening, and encamped on the common ; it was the 
first time that I had ever slept vipon the ground, with nothing but the starry 
heavens for a covering. The next day, passing through Cambridge, we 
found there the Boston troops, with Captain Stoughton, who was to be our 
principal captain, having the military stores, and camp utensils. We marched 
nearly thirty miles that day, through thick woods, and across many small 
streams, halting at noon for our meals, and for rest. The Indians, with their 
squaws and papooses, came from their hills around, to take a peep at us. 
They professed to be friendly ; but there was jealousy in their looks, a- sort 
of half war, and half peace. As we went through a manual exercise, and 
especially when we took aim, they suddenly skulked behind their stout oaks ; 
but soon ventured out again, when they found our guns did not speak. At 
evening we found an open space on the side of a hill, cleared by the Indians, 
and there halted for the night. Having kindled our fires, and ate a good 
supper of porridge, we attended, as usual, upon prayer, offered by one of 
our captains, and with a trusty watch, and blazing fires, we laid ourselves 
down, and slept safely and soundly. The next day, we found ourselves get- 
ting nearer to hostile ground, and kept a sharp lookout, lest we should feel 
the arrows of the Indians, suddenly flying upon us from the surrounding 
woods. We, however, passed along quietly that day. On the following 
nio'ht, the sound of the Indian warwhoop, real or imaginary, we could not tell 
which, together with the tremendous howling of beasts, kept me awake for 
awhile. But- through fatigue I fell asleep, and dreamed of being in a terrible 
battle with the Pequots, whose arrows and tomahawks gave us no small 
trouble. Their awful yelling getting louder and louder, awaked me, when I 



1634—1700.] PEQUOT WAR. 43 

discovered oue of the watch standing over me, who told me it was time for 
me to get up, and take my turn in tlie watch. At length, after a tedious 
and exhausting march of nearly a week, often through pathless woods, carry- 
ing our guns, our ammunition, and provisions, we reached the Pequot's 
country, and learned that Captain Mason, with 90 Connecticut troops, and 
500 friendly Indians, had attacked and captured one of the principal forts of 
the Pequots, and that the remainder of them, with Sassacus, their principal 
Sachem, had gone westward, and Captain Mason had returned to Saybrook. 
Captain Stoughton, in consultation with his officers, concluded to march to 
Saybrook. At that place, Captain Mason, being thus joined by the Massa- 
chusetts troops, 200 strong, had orders to march immediately in pursuit of 
the enemy. Accordingly, on the morning of the 25th of June, we took up 
our line of march in search of the remnant of this warlike and cruel tribe. 
It was not long before we came in sight of some of them in small detached 
parties, whom we easily captured or destroyed. But it was some time before 
we could get any information of the main body of the tribe. After five days' 
march, we reached Quinnipeak, (New Haven,) where we were told by a 
friendly Pequot, that Sassacus and his men were in a swamp, a few miles 
west of us. W(! pushed forward, and on the next day reached the border of 
the swamp. But it was too soft and boggy for any to enter but Indians. 
Our officers thought it best to surround the swamp, so as to be sure that none 
of them should escape, and annoy them as we could. We found that there 
was another tribe in the swamp, to the number of 300, that had never mur- 
dered any of the English. Them we willingly let out. But the Pequots said 
they had both shed and drank the blood of Englishmen, and were determined 
to fight it out. As night came on, we cut through a part of the swamp, and 
made the circle round the enemy much less, and so completely hemmed them 
in, that they could not escape, even under the darkness of the night. The 
enemy finding in the morning, that they were wholly shut in, made a violent 
attempt to break through our lines. But we drove them back, with great 
slaughter. They next tried to force the lines of the Connecticut troops ; but 
with no better success. The battle now was close and hot, the enemy seem- 
ing determined not to yield but at the loss of their lives. Out of about 600 
of them, only 60 escaped. Our loss was 11 killed, and 20 wounded. John 
Wedgwood and Thomas Sherman, of this town, were among: the wounded. 
We took many of them prisoners ; some of whom were kept by our men as 
servants, and some were sent to the West Indies, and sold to the planters. 
This battle finished the Pequot tribe. The few that escaped, or were not in 
the swamp, were destroyed by the friendly Indians. We took some of them 
on our return. A party of them hove in sight one day, when Francis Wright, 
our townsman, gave chase to them, and having no more powder and ball, he 
brake his gun over them, and brought two of their heads to the camp. The 
prisoners told us that more than 2,000 of their tribe had been killed in dif- 



44 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

ferent battles, and more than 1,000 taken prisoners.* Our march Lack was 
less tedious, as we had less to bring ; and, as we neared home, the way 
seemed shorter. Ipswich never seemed so pleasant before ; the sight of Che- 
baeco was still pleasanter. We owe many thanks to God for keeping us 
alive and unharmed in so hard and perilous a campaign, and in giving us 
such signal success." 

Upon this, the good man offered a prayer, abounding in 
thanksgiving, as well as supplication ; after which all re- 
tired. In 1639 eight acres of land were granted to Mr. 
Burnham by the town as a pension for his service in the 
Pequot war. 

Notwithstanding the extermination of this numerous 
and warlike tribe, the fear and alarm excited by the In- 
dians were not diminished, but gradually increased among 
the colonists. An order is issued by the Governor and 
Council, requiring Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury, to send 
40 men, on the Sabbath, September 2, 1642, to disarm Pas- 
conoway, who lived at Merrimack. This was caused by 
the suspicion of a general conspiracy against the English. 
The pay of the soldiers in these wars, was Is. per day, and of 
the officers, 2s. Musket balls and wampum, i. e. strings of 
shells, black, white, and blue, were the currency of the day. 

EARTHQUAKE. 
"The year 1638," history informs us, "was remarkable 
for a great earthquake, throughout New England. This 
earthquake, as did that of 1627, which was equally violent 
and extensive, constituted a remarkable era, that was long 
remembered, and referred to by the pious inhabitants of 
these infant colonies." 

COMMONERS. 
The first settlers of this town claimed all the land con- 
tained in it, having purchased it of Masconnomet, for £20 
sterling. And what they did not divide among themselves, 
for their immediate use and improvement, or grant to 

* Trumbull's History : Indian Wars. 



1634—1700.] COMMONERS. 45 

others that came to settle among them, they held in com- 
mon, and were therefore called commoners, and their land 
thus held, commonage. They appear to have been a body 
of proprietors, distinct from the town ; for it was not till 
1788, that they gave to the town all their claim to the 
common land, to joay the town debt. But though distinct 
from the town as a bod}^, they seem also to have had some 
connection with it in this matter, and to have been in a 
measure under its jurisdiction respecting it, for we find in 
the records of the town, that '' None but commoners shall 
make any use of common land," and the Selectmen are 
directed to petition the Court for a confirmation of this 
order. The Court accordingly passed a law, " That no 
dwelling shall have commonage, except those now built, 
or which may be, by consent of commoners, or towns." 

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. 

In 1643, Thomas Low settled in this place, on land since 
owned by the late Captain Winthrop Low. His house 
was about thirty-five rods south of Captain Low's mansion. 

In 1G45, John Choate, the first of the name in this place, 
came from England, and took land near the head of the 
creek, which divides Essex from Ipswich. His house was 
a few rods north-east of where the late John Low's now 
stands. He had four sons, and a number of daughters. 
His son Joseph, and grandson Daniel, afterwards owned 
the same farm. His son John settled on the farm now 
owned by Darius Cogswell. Thomas settled on Hog Island. 
He was a great farmer, and was called Governor Choate, 
probably from his having the sole rule and possession of 
the-Island. His son John, born 1697, built the stone bridge 
in Ipswich, called Choate's bridge. His daughter Sarah, 
married Rev. Amos Cheever, of Manchester. 

In 1645, we are told, New England was remarkably 
prosperous : commerce flourished, the fishery was actively 
carried on, and agriculture was successful. 



46 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Cuap. 1. 

ANOTHER VISIT TO THE ANCIENT SETTLERS. 

1649. As a marriage is to take place at Mr. Cogswell's, 
we will revisit the family, notice the changes that have 
.occmTcd, and be present at the joyful solemnity. When 
there before, thirteen years since, they were living in their 
log house, surrounded by a dense forest, with but little 
land cleared, and that little full of burnt stumps, and with 
Indian wigwams near at hand, and the wolf, and the wild- 
cat, and the bear, as soon as night set in, filling the forest 
with their terrific notes. But though the savage man and 
beast remain, you see many agreeable changes wrought 
by the persevering hand of industry. The log house has 
been abandoned for a new framed house, two stories in 
front, the roof descending on the back side nearly to the 
ground, the chimney in the centre, with two spacious 
apartments, and their chambers, on each side of it, and a 
kitchen in their rear, narrow but nearly as long as the 
house. The chimney is built of stone, in its natural state, 
carefully selected, and put together with clay mortar, as 
high as the garret floor, where it receives a wooden chim- 
ney, daubed on the inside with clay mortar, and rising 
some feet above the roof The fire-places in each of the 
front rooms, are spacious, but in the kitchen, of a mammoth 
size, so that the whole family may be seated in the corners 
at the ends of blazing logs, four or five feet in length. 
The boards were sawn by hand. Bricks being laid against 
the inner partition, and covered with clay, to exclude the 
cold, the boards on the outside, called clay-boards, are fast- 
ened in an upright posture, with narrow strips covering 
the interstices. The roof is finished in the same style. 
The house stands in from the road, and faces the south, 
that the sun at high noon, may look full into the windows, 
and by suitable marks on the window stool, may indicate 
the hour of the day. The windows are three feet by two, 
with small diamond-shaped glass, set in lead lines, and 



1634-1700.] ANOTHER VISIT. 47 

opening outwardly, on hinges. As you approach the house 
from the road, you joass through a beautiful garden of 
shrubbery, arranged after the English fashion. The whole 
establishment, though without the modern clap-boards and 
shingles, and the ornament of paint, affords a fine contrast 
to the rough, dark-looking log cabin, still standing just in 
the rear. You stand at the door, and might enter, by 
pulling the new nice string which hangs before you, but 
you choose to knock, that some one may show you in, and 
conduct you to the family; by whom you are cordially 
received, and hospitably entertained. You are as much 
pleased with the improvement of their dwelling internally, 
as externally. The fine carpets, which could not be laid 
upon the rough floors of the log house, are now spread 
upon their new rooms, comparing well with the stuffed 
chairs, and other furniture brought with them from Eng- 
land, and saved from the wreck at Pemaquid. 

While the father and sons are busy in the field, the fe- 
males are more than usually busy in the house, preparing 
for the expected wedding, and fitting the bride with a 
suitable wardrobe, and other articles for housekeeping. 
Having paid your respects to the family within, you walk 
abroad to see those without, and to witness the various 
improvements upon the premises. The black stumps in 
the fields are nearly all gone, and new fields added to the 
old ones. The woods have grown thinner, and have re- 
tired farther from the barn, and other out-buildings. The 
road from Mr. C's. to the ferry, is not near as dark as for- 
merly, and is much improved for traveling. But you do 
not venture far ; for the law of the day forbids your going 
beyond a mile from the house alone, or unarmed, through 
fear of the Indians. The Indians here have the appear- 
ance of peace ; but they belong to an insidious race ; and 
need constant watching. See there a spacious log building, 
with strongly fortified doors. It has been erected in con- 
formity with a general order from the Coiu't, to be a re- 



48 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

treat for all the families around, in case of an attack from 
the Indians. A watch is kept every night in all the towns, 
and the discharge of a gun is the signal of alarm. In the 
conversation of the evening, this matter is often referred 
to, and the wish that their savage neighbors would take 
up their wigwams, and leave the town, is heartily re- 
sponded to by all. But there is little hope of this, and 
the various ways in which they would defend themselves, 
or escape from their murderous weapons, is, therefore, 
freely talked of, especially by the younger members of 
the family. But there is one defence surer than all oth- 
ers, the protecting arm of a gracious Providence ; ajid as 
the good man of the house devoutly renders thanks in 
the family prayer, for their preservation thus far from so 
dreadful a foe, and from other impending dangers, and sup- 
plicates a continuance of the same, all unite w^ith deeper 
solicitude, and more heartfelt devotion than ever. 

The morning light dawns upon the Sabbath. All pre- 
pare at an early hour for the Sabbath day's journej^ to the 
house of God. Their home they leave under the protec- 
tion of that Being, whose command they obey in not for- 
saking the assembling of themselves together. As you 
proceed with the men armed, you are silent, ready to catch 
every sound from the deep woods, lest it should betoken 
an attack from some beast, or savage foe. 

The neighbors join you, as you pass their houses, armed 
in like manner, and your fears are abated as your numbers 
increase. On arriving at the house of God, the numerous 
muskets and pikes, seen in the hands both of old men and 
young, give signs of the common danger. But faith in 
God, composes the mind, and prepares the heart for His 
worship, Who is the source of all good, and a very present 
help in trouble. But means are to be used, and, to pre- 
vent a surprise, sentinels are placed on the outside of the 
church, while the congregation worship within. 



16U4— 1700.] ANCIENT CUSTOMS. 49 

PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

Mr. Rogers, the pastor, begins the services with a prayer. 
The teacher, Mr. Norton, then reads and expounds a por- 
tion of Scripture. A psalm is then given out by one of 
the ruhng elders or deacons, which is read and sung Hue 
by hue. Mr. Rogers preaches in the morning, and Mr. 
Norton in the afternoon. An hour-glass is placed at one 
end of the elders' pew, that the sermon may not be less 
than an hour in the delivery. Singing, prayer, and the 
benediction follow the sermon on both jDarts of the day. 
Before the close of the afternoon service, the usual Sabbath 
collection is taken in the following manner: the whole 
congregation, with the magistrates and chief men at their 
head, pass up one aisle to the deacons' seat, where, if they 
give money, they drop it into a box, if anything else, 
they set it down before the deacon, and then jDass down 
the other aisle to their seats. At the close, notice is given 
of the Thursday lecture, at eleven o'clock, A. M., which 
all are expected to attend, as it is a service which the pa- 
rishioners have requested of their minister, for their own 
religious instruction and edification. As soon as the bene- 
diction is pronounced, your attention is suddenly arrested 
by the loud and measured tones of the town clerk, in the 
following announcement: "Notice is hereby given that 
marriage is intended between Godfrey Armitage, of Bos- 
ton, and Mary Cogswell, of Ipswich." As this is the third 
Sabljath that the parties have been thus publicly cried, 
only a slight tinge of red now suftlises Mary's face. A 
justice of the peace must marry them; sucli is the law 
of the colony. But as religious services are proper and 
important on the occasion, the parents invite their pastors 
to be present on the follaPv\'ing Tuesdaj^, at eleven o'clock. 

In conversation with the family, as you return, you 
speak of the precious privileges 3-011 luive en joj^ed ; and 
of your great satisfaction tliat the sermons, so faitiiful and 
7 



50 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

profitable, were each of them over an hour in length. 
"We could not do with less instruction from the pulpit 
than this," says Mr. C. " We therefore stipulated with our 
pastors at their settlement, that in proportion as they fell 
short of an hour, in their sermons, a deduction should be 
made from their yearly support." 

In your walk on Monday through the North End, you 
notice with pleasure, the increased number of settlers, all 
occupying framed houses, and all having some cultivated 
lands nearly free from stumps, and orchards that are be- 
ginning, some of them, to yield fruit. Nothing seems to 
be in the way of their comfort and peace, except that the 
bears and wolves commit depredations upon their flocks 
and herds, both by night and by day, making it unsafe for 
the children to be out of the sight of their parents. The 
Indians, too, frequenting the woods and the roads, and 
occasionally looking into the houses, though apparently 
friendly, yet occasion anxiety lest they are plotting some 
hidden mischief 

MARRIAGE CEREMONY. 
A beautiful bright sun dawns on the nuptial day, ac- 
companied with a balmy refreshing air. The company 
begin to assemble at an early hour. The best room is 
thrown open, and soon filled with the invited guests, the 
near neighbors, and many friends and acquaintances, from 
the body of the town. The officiating magistrate, William 
Paine, Esq., with Mr. Rogers and Mr. Norton, enter to- 
gether, and receive the affectionate salutations of the com- 
pany. The childi'^n are at home. William has brought 
his "intended" to partake with him the joy of the occasion. 
Charles Waldo, of Chehnsford, soon to be married to Han- 
nah, is also present. There are two young men from the 
centre of Ipswich, Clark and Tuthill, both beginning to be 
troubled with some heart-beatings. Clark has an eye 
upon Abigail, and Tuthill upon Sarah, both of whom, in 



1634—1700.] THE SCHOOL FARM. " 51 

some unaccountable way, have caught the same heart com- 
plaint. But whether they caught it of the young men, 
or the 3^oung men of them, remains in uncertainty. One 
thing is certain, they hardly dare to exchange glances, be- 
cause they have not yet asked leave, and the law of the 
colony is severe upon the young man that makes or mani- 
fests love to a young lady without leave, formally obtained 
of her parents. 

The bride and bridegroom are seated by themselves op- 
posite to the magistrate, with the brides-maid and grooms- 
man in their appropriate places. The time for the cere- 
mony having arrived, Mr. Rogers invokes the blessing of 
God, The magistrate then joins the parties in marriage, 
by their mutual assent to a solemn covenant, and Mr. 
Norton closes with prayer. As the marriage feast is soon 
to follow, the intervening time is spent in pleasant and 
profitable conversation on the signs of the times, and the 
news of the day, both at home and abroad. The news 
from England of the execution of Charles I., particularly 
engrosses their attention. They are all agreed that if 
ever a murderer deserved death for one act of murder, 
Charles, wdio, by his tyranny and cruelty, perpetually har- 
assed and oppressed his subjects, robbing them of their 
dearest rights and privileges, certainly deserved no less. 
Cromwell, the real leader and master-spirit in this struggle 
for freedom, they highly extol for his piety and courage, 
his wisdom and indomitable energy, his patriotism, and 
love of justice, and devoutly wish, that with the help of 
God, he may be instrumental of restoring liberty to Eng- 
land, and establishing permanently a republican form of 
government. Dinner being ended, and the company re- 
tiring, you retire with them. 

THE SCHOOL FARM. 
1651, Jan. 11th. The town give to the Grammar or 
Latin School all tlie "neck beyond Chebacco River and the 



52 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

rest of the ground up to Gloucester line." January 16th, 
this land is leased by the trustees of the donation to John 
Cogswell, Jr., of Chebacco, and his heirs and assigns for- 
ever, for £14 a year. It includes the land on the south of 
the river to Gloucester line, as far east as the creek, over 
which is the lower causeway, and west, as far as the brook 
near Warren Low's house. At the date of this lease, 
money by being very scarce, was of so much value, that 
£14, (|67.76,) was a sufficient salary for the teacher. 
But when money, by becoming more plenty, fell in value, 
and would purchase comparatively l^ut little, the salary 
was altogether insufficient. Hence, the town in 1720, 
were about commencing a suit against the holders of the 
school farm, to compel them to pay the original value of 
the £14. This suit they offered to relinquish, if the oc- 
cupants of the farm would agree to support the school- 
master; which would have cost in that day, about $200. 
But this the occupants were clearly not bound to do by 
the terms of the lease, as the town no doubt ascertained ; 
for they abandoned the prosecution, and remained satisfied 
with the nominal sum. If it had been stipulated in the 
lease, that the annual rent should be more or less than 
£14, according to the value of money, estimated by the 
current price of certain specified articles of living, the 
amount at this day would probably have been more than 
|200 a year. This, however, would not now support a 
schoolmaster, as £14 did then, because, besides the differ- 
ence in the price of commodities, the style of living, is 
now full three times as expensive as it was then. 

DEATH OF MR. EOGERS. 
1G55. The funeral of Mr. Rogers, the onl}- minister of 
the town, after the removal of Mr. Norton to Boston, takes 
place, and is attended by a great number of people, from 
all parts of the town, and by many from neighboring 
towns. He is buried at the expense of the town, and his 



1G34— 1700.] REV. ME. ROGEES. 53 

grave is bedewed with the tears of many wlio loved him 
as their pastor, and whose souls had been savingly bene- 
fited by his earnest and faithful ministry. The people of 
Chebacco have much reason to lament his comparatively 
early departure from life, for often had he been with them 
in their houses, in scenes of joy and sorrow. He had sat 
with them by the side of their sick beds, directing them 
to Jesus, the friend and Saviour of sinners, and comfort- 
ing their hearts with His promises to the penitent and 
believing. He had solemnized their marriages, baptized 
their children, and buried their dead. For sixteen or 
seventeen years, they had enjoyed his ministry in the 
sanctuary of God, on the Sabbath, and on lecture days. 
His sermons were of a more than ordinary character, 
and were listened to by Inrge and attentive audiences. 
In addition to what has been already said of him on 
page 36, the following extract from Cotton Mather's 
3Iagnalia Chrlsli Americana, published in 1702, may be 
added : 

"In College he became a remarkable and imcomparable proficieift in all 
academich learning. His usual manner was to be an early and exact stu- 
dent, by which means, he was quickly laid in with a good stock of learning, 
but unto all his other learning there was that glory added, the fear of God, 
for the crown of all ; the principles whei'eof were instilled into his young 
soul with the counsels of his pious mother, while he sat on her knees, as well 
as his holy father, when he came to riper years. Having entered the minis- 
try he was preacher to a great congregation at Becking in Essex for four or 
five years, and for five years afterward to the parish of Assington in Suffolk. 
In both of those places his ministry was highly respected and greatly pros- 
pered, among persons of all qualities. He was a lively, curious, florid 
preacher ; and by his holy living, he so farther preached, as to give much 
life to all his other preaching. He had usually every Lord's day, a greater 
number of hearers than could crowd into the church ; and of those many ig- 
norant ones were instructed, many ungodly ones were converted, and many 
sorrowful ones were comforted. Though he had not his father's notable 
voice, yet he had several ministerial qualifications, as was judged, beyond his 
father ; and he was one prepared unto every good work, though he was also 
exercised with bodily infirmities, which his labors brought upon him. But it 
was the resolution of the Hierarchy, that the ministers, who would not con- 



54 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

form to their impositions, must be silenced all over the kingdom. Our Mr. 
Rogers, perceiving the approach of the storm towards himself, did, out of a 
particular circumspection in his own temper, choose rather to prevent, than 
to receive the censures of the ecclesiastical courts, and therefore he resigned 
his place. Nevertheless, not being free in his conscience wholly to lay down 
the exercise of his ministry, he designed, a removal into New England. 
Setting sail at Gravesend he landed at Boston about the middle of November 
1636 after a voyage ai twenty-four weeks. Soon after he accepted of an in- 
vitation to Ipsivich, where he was ordained /jas^or of the church, on February 
20, 1G38, (1039, N. S.,) at his ordination, preaching on II. Cor. 2 : 16, — 
who is sufficient for these things ; a sermon so copious, judicious, accurate, 
and elegant that it struck the hearers with admiration. While he lived in 
Ipswich, he went over the five last chapters of Ephesians, in his ministry ; 
the twelfth to the Hebrews, the doctrine of self-denial, and walkinff ivifh 
God; and the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, to the great satisfaction of all his 
hearers, with many other subjects more occasionally handled. It belongs to 
his character that he feared God above many, and walked with God at a 
great rate of holiness, though such was his reservedness, that none but his 
intimate friends knew the particidars of his walk, yet such as were indeed 
intimate with him, could observe, that he was much in fasting and prayer, 
and meditation, and those duties wherein the potver of godliness is most 
maintained ; and as the graces of a Christian, so the gifts of a minister, in 
him, were beyond the ordinary attainments of good men, yea, I shall do a 
wrong unto his name, if I do not freely say that he was one of the greatest 
men that ever set foot on the American strand. 

" He had often been seized with fits of sickness in the course of his life ; 
and his last seemed no more threatening than the former, till the last morning 
of it. An epidemic sort of cough had arrested most of the families in the 
country, which proved most particularly fatal to bodies, before laboring with 
rheumatic indispositions. This he felt ; but in the whole time of his illness, 
he was full of heavenly discourse and counsel, to those who came to visit 
him. It is a notable passage in the Talmuds, that the inhabitants of Tsip- 
por, expressing an extreme unwillingness to have the death of R. Judah, 
(whom they surnamed The Holy,) reported unto them, he that brought the 
report, thus expressed himself Holy men and angels took hold of the 
tables of the covenant, and the hand of the angels prevailed, so that they took 
away the tables. And the people then perceived the meaning of this para- 
boliser to be, that holy men would fain liave detained R Judah still in this 
world, but the angels took him away. Reader, I am as loth to tell the death 
of Rogers, the Holy ; and the inhabitants of Ipswich were as loth to hear it, 
but I must say the hand of the angel prevailed on July 3d, 1655, in the 
afternoon, when he had uttered those for his last words: 'My times are in 
thy hands '' His age was 57." 



1G34— 1700.] HAFFIELD'S BRIDGE. 55 

Such were the character and labors of him on whose 
mmistrj our ancestors in this' place attended, and Avith 
whom some of them had come from Eng-land. If obedi- 
ent to that gospel which he preached, they are now re- 
joicing with him among the redeemed in glory. 

HAFFIELD'S BRIDGE AND ROAD. 
1656. This year is memorable for the building of Haf- 
field's bridge. On the following year, "A road is laid 
out," says the record, "to Goodwife Ilaffield's bridge, 
through Mr. Roger's ox pasture." This is the present 
road from Haffield's bridge, to the corner of the first road 
which came round the head of Choate's brook. A road 
must have been opened at the same time on this side, 
over the hill to the bridge. Our fathers, in beginning 
their homes in a wilderness, had so much to do, and so 
little to do with, that they found it easier to go round the 
creeks than to make bridges over them. Yet as soon as 
their means allowed, they were ready to make improve- 
ments in roads and bridges, as well as in other things, per- 
taining to the conveniences and comforts of life. 

COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL. 

As early as 1636, a court was held in Ipswich once a 
quarter, for the trial of such offences as w.ere not capital. 
This court answered to our modern court of Common 
Pleas. The Supreme Court did not begin to sit in this 
town till 1693. A jail was built here in 1652. It was 
then the second in the colony. In 1656, a House of Cor- 
rection was in operation. It seems to have been connected 
with the jail. The inmates were required to work, as the 
Selectmen were directed to supply them with flax and hemp. 

The trials in the courts, it may be presumed, were con- 
ducted, for the most part, in the same manner as they are 
at this day. Tlie jurors were then, as now, taken from 
the different towns of the county, and were the supreme 



56 niSTORY OF ESSEX. [CiiAP. 1. 

judges in every case between man and man, and between 
man and his majesty's province. The justices or judges 
upon the bench were to decide upon all points of law, but 
the jury upon matters of fact, involving questions of prop- 
erty, or of guilt or innocence. This is the great bulwark 
of English liberty. . All are equally free and safe, where 
all have the privilege of being tried by their peers. But 
let us go into one of the Ipswich courts, held in olden 
time. It is in the month of May, 1663. As we ascend 
the hill, the meeting-house, a handsome edifice, is on our 
left ; a neat but smaller building on our right, is the court- 
house. A little north of the meeting-house, we see the 
jail and house of correction, a dark, comfortless looking 
building, with its windows guarded by iron bars. Be- 
tween the church and the prison, on the same level spot, 
stands the whipping-post, tall and stout, with its iron hook, 
to fasten and draw up the culprit, while the lash is applied 
to the naked back. And near the post, stand the stocks. 
The pillory was placed there only when occasion required. 
We enter the court-room, while the church bell is sending 
forth its peculiar peals, which all understand to be an in- 
vitation to all concerned, to hasten to court. Standing in 
the crowd, just within, we hear the authoritative voice of 
the sheriff, " Make w' ay for the Court ! make w^ay for the 
Court ! " and begin to fear, as we can move but little, that 
we shall be found guilty without an indictment. An 
opening is made, and his Honor, the Court, passes through, 
and takes his seat on an elevated bench, next to the wall. 
The counselors-at-law sit before him in an enclosure, 
formed by a railing, called the bar. On the right and left 
of the gentlemen of the bar, are seated the jurymen. A 
stand or platform for the witnesses, is near the bar, and 
just without it, and facing the judge, is the box for crimi- 
nals. As it is the first day of the court's sitting, Mr. Cob- 
bet, one of the ministers of the town, offers an appropriate 
priu'cr. The voice of ihe sheriff is then heard in strong 



1634—1700.] THE QUARTERLY COURT. 57 

and measured accents, " Oyes, Oyes, Oyes, all persons who 
have anything to do before the Quarterly Court, may now 
draw near, and give their attendance, and they f?hall be 
heard. God save the king." 

A prisoner is now brought in, and placed in the crimi- 
nal's box for trial, a woman from Newbury, charged with 
the crime of perjury. The jury for the trial of this case 
are impaneled, and sworn by the clerk. With uiDlifted 
hands they assent to the oath : " You solemnly swear that 
you will well and truly try the issue between his majesty's 
province and the prisoner at the bar. So help you God." 

As you listen to the closing words, and ponder upon 
their meaning, you are satisfied that it is a solemn appeal 
to God for the truth of what is said, with a consent to be 
saved or destroyed by Him, according as you speak truly 
or falsely. This is the highest obligation which man can 
impose upon his fellow man, to tell the truth, the whole 
truth, and nothing but the truth. An oath for confirma- 
tion is an end of all strife. It is as far as man can go to 
terminate controversies. 

The criminal at the bar, in a case in which she was a 
witness, had, under oath, testified falsely, and thus com- 
mitted the crime of perjury. The clerk reads the indict- 
ment, which sets forth with great particularity, the crime 
with which she is charged. This particularity, in its 
abundance of words, in almost every variety of form, 
seems to you tedious and unnecessary. But it is the re- 
sult of much experience, and is, every word of it, neces- 
sary to secure both the rights of the prisoner, and of the 
community at large. After reading the indictment, the 
clerk addresses the prisoner, Leah Sapphira, (which we 
may Suppose to be her name.) " What say you to this in- 
dictment; are you guilty thereof, or not guilty?" "Not 
guilty," is the reply. He then turns to the jury. " Gen- 
tlemen of the jury, the prisoner pleads not guilty, and for 
trial, puts herself upon her country, which country you 



58 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

are. If she is guilty, you will say so, and if not guilty, 
you will say so, and no more. Gentlemen of the jury, 
hearken' to your evidence." 

The attorney for the government opens the case by 
stating particularly what he intends to do, and to prove, 
and then proceeds to call his witnesses. They testify, 
under oath, what they know of the matter ; all which 
goes to prove her guilt. They are cross-examined by the 
prisoner's counsel, that he may draw something from them, 
if he can, which will go to refute their own testimony. 
He then brings forward his rebutting testimony ; calls 
witnesses to prove the general goodness of her character, 
and to establish the truth of the facts, to which she testi- 
fied in the case in which she is said to have committed 
perjury; and goes on to show, by a labored argument, that 
the evidence against his client is altogether insufficient to 
prove her guilt, and appeals to the good feelings of the jury, 
to their love of humanity, and justice, and to their honest 
perception of the failure of the government to prove the 
guilt of his client, that thus he may persuade them to 
bring in a verdict which shall relieve her from this state 
of disgrace and distress. His majesty's counsel then ad- 
dresses the jury : dwelling upon the facts in the case, and 
showing, as we may suppose, that she testified falsely in 
a point material to the issue of the case, by swearing to 
that, which, as all the witnesses were agreed, never took 
place. Her testimony, therefore, was wilfully false and 
malicious. 

The pleas on both sides, are able and eloquent. The 
jury listen attentively, but with a conservative counte- 
nance. The judge states the case, recapitulates the evi- 
dence for and against, and charges the jury that if they 
are satisfied that the evidence ag-ainst her is full and con- 

o 

elusive, beyond all reasonable doubt, they must return a 
verdict of guilty. But if they have reasonable doubts in 
the case, they are bound to let the prisoner have the 



1634—1700.] MANUFACTURES. 59 

benefit of them, and bring in their verdict accordingly. 
The prisoner hears this with a countenance marked with 
anxiety, and deep interest. The jury retire, but soon re- 
turn to their seats. The clerk then says, " Mr. Foreman, 
are you agreed in a verdict?" "We are agreed," is the 
response. "What say you, Mr. Foreman, is the prisoner at 
the bar guilty, or not guilty?" "Guilty!" says the fore- 
man. " Gentlemen of the jury, hearken to your verdict. 
The jury, upon their oath, do say that the prisoner at the 
bar is guilty. So you say Mr. Foreman, so say you all, 
gentlemen of the jury?" The jury bow assent. 

The judge prefaces the sentence with a few pertinent 
remarks, on the heinousness of the crime of perjury, as 
striking a deadly blow at the very existence of society, by 
destroying all confidence in testimony, and as full of 
impiety and profaneness, tending to bring down upon 
the guilty head, the wrath and curse of the Almighty. 
As this, however, is her first offence, he imposes on her the 
lightest penalty of the law ; which is, that she stand at 
the meeting-house door, in the town of Newbury, next 
lecture day, from the ringing of the first bell, till the min- 
ister be ready to begin prayer, with a paper on her head, 
having on it, written in large capital letters, FOR TAKING 
A FALSE OATHE. She is taken to prison, to be held in 
custody, till the sentence is executed. If you are disjDosed 
to think the penalty too light for the crime, you wall re- 
member that the culprit is a woman, perhaps of some 
standing and character, and the mortification must be ex- 
treme, to stand as if in a pillory, and be gazed at, for an 
hour, by all her neighbors and town's people, as a false, 
perjured woman. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Among the manufacturers in town, in the progress of 
this century, are mentioned, ropemakers, coopers, gun- 
smiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, glovers, tailors, soap- 



60 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

makers, maltsters, ship-builders, tanners, curriers. No 
shoemakers are mentioned ; probably, for the reason that 
the inhabitants made their own shoes, principally, if not 
wholly. An aged man remembers that at a much later 
period, there were traveling workmen, who cut and fitted 
shoes for families, and occasionally finished them. 

The first saw-mill in Ipswich, was erected on Chebacco 
River, in 1656. The conditions of the grant were, that 
there be liberty for cutting timber, (on commoners' wood 
land,) provided none be cut within three and one half- 
miles of the meeting-house, and the town have one- 
fifteenth of what is sawed, and no inhabitant be charged 
more than four per cent. Nine years after, Jonathan 
Wade is allowed to have one on the same river. 1667 : 
May 23, Lieutenant Thomas Burnham is permitted to 
erect one near the falls ; but not so as to injure Mr. 
"Wade's. Four years after, another is erected by William 
Story. 1682 : Jonathan Wade is allowed to set up one 
at the falls. 1687 : John, son of Thomas Burnham, re- 
moves his mill so as to be near George Story's. No saw- 
mill is mentioned during this century, in any other part 
of the town : and no grist-mill is erected here until 1693, 
when John Burnham, Jr., had leave to erect one at " the 
launching place." This was, doubtless, " the launching 
place " below the falls, to which the new road leads, as the 
remains of the dam are still to be seen there. Why it 
was that during this century all the sawing was done here, 
and all the grinding on Ipswich River, we have no means 
of learning. Probably, the building of vessels here, was 
the reason why so many saw-mills were erected. 

THE FIRST SHIP -YARD. 
1668. Twelve years after the first saw-mill was erected, 
the town grant "One acre of ground, near Mr. Cogswell's 
farm, to the inhabitants of Ipswich, for a yard to build ves- 
sels, for the use of the inhabitants, and to employ work- 



1634—1700.] FIKST SHIP-YAED. 61 

men for that end." This is pretty conclusive evidence, 
that our ancestors here had already begun to build vessels, 
as it seems altogether improbable, that a ship-yard would 
have been granted by the town, if it had not been asked 
for, and equally improbable that it would have been jieti- 
tioned for, if the building of vessels was wholly unknown 
here. This acre for a ship-yard, was near the present 
bridge. Mr. Cogswell's farm came up to the main road, 
on the north side of Spring street ; but on the south side 
only as far as the brook, back of the first burying-ground, 
and to the creek, into which this brook runs. The ship- 
yard, then, to be near Mr. Cogswell's farm, must have 
extended from some point near the mouth of this creek, 
south-westerly on the bank of the river, probably twenty 
rods, and eight rods back from the river. As it was then 
partly covered with timber, and bounded by marked trees, 
the bounds, through want of care, became obliterated. 

FIRST CHEBACCO BOAT. 
Tradition says, that the first Chebacco boat was built 
by a Burnham, in the garret of an ancient house, which 
stood where is now the house of Daniel Mears, south-west 
of the corner of the old and new road to Manchester ; 
and that the garret window had to be cut away before 
they could launch her. An aged man, Parker Burnham, 
1st,* says that when a child, about 1770, he distinctly re- 
members hearing his grandfather, then very aged, relate 
this fact to his father. This grand-parent was born about 
1G90. He had probably himself received the fact from 
parental or ancestral lips. Another part of the traditional 
account of this first boat, derived from another source, is, 
that tlie Summer after she was built, a man and a boy, 
Burnhams, of course, as she was built by one of that 
name, went in her to Damaris Cove, about one hundred 
and twenty miles, for a fare of fish. If we are disposed 

♦Deceased since this part of the history was first published. 



62 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

to doubt whether both of these facts can be true, we must 
wait till we better know the structure of the house, and 
the size of its garret, and of the boat, before we can safely 
set aside the tradition of the fathers. It is certain that 
there was a first Chebacco boat built for fishing, and a, first 
trip of this first boat. And we may as well take the 
ancient tradition concerning the matter, as any modern 
suppositions. 

FIRST FISHING VOYAGE. 

As the season is pleasant, and the trip a novel one, we 
will accompany this enterprising skipper, and his youthful 
companion, down to the eastern shore, and see how they 
succeed in taking a fare of fish. It is early in June. The 
storms of Spring have passed away, and Summer's days 
begin to shed their balmy influence on land and water. 
As our new vessel is to sail very early in the morning, if 
the wind is fair, she is taken down the river, as far as the 
horse bridge, the night before. The morning comes, and 
the Summer breeze is from the west. We must be at the 
bridge at early dawn, to go on board with the captain and 
his boy. The ship is small, and will carry but two or 
three tons. But as our spirits are light, we shall not 
much trouble her with our weight, so we may take our 
stand upon the forecastle, unperceived by either of the 
crew. Our vessel is of a peculiar shape, sharp at both 
ends, though not designed to sail either way, as a super- 
ficial observer might think. She is pink-sterned, and pos- 
sesses a good rudder, the tiller of which is grasped by our 
skipper, as soon as all sails are set, and all hands on board, 
and she is loosed from her fastening. We are soon under 
way, with a stiff breeze, and rapidly pass the objects on 
shore, among which are here and there groups of half- 
naked Indians, old and young, whose curiosity is excited 
at the sight of our boat, with her wide-spread canvass. 
The islands appear in all their beauty, covered with verd- 



1634—1700.] FISHING VOYAGE. 63 

ure, and bearing lofty trees, except here and there the 
clearings made by the natives. We cross the bar, and as 
we launch out into the bay, the' sun is just lifting his broad 
and ruddy face out of the ocean, shedding his glorious 
beams over the vast expanse of waters, and tipping the 
hill-tops, and summits of the woods, with his yellow rays. 
As we come upon the swelling sea, our little bark feels 
the heaving influence, and begins to roll and pitch, with 
some degree of violence ; yet she bears herself nobly, as 
she rides over the waves. Some little fear might trouble 
the . minds of our skipper and his boy, as they are some- 
what green in the business, did not the rolling of the boat 
produce some rolling and heaving of the stomach, which 
occupies their attention. But they hold on to their post 
of duty, sensible that life is depending on it. Our spirits, 
happily, though in sympathy with our sea-sick crew, and 
partaking of the rolling and pitching of the boat, yet are 
not affected with the sea malady, and have, therefore, 
nothing to do, but to look abroad, and enjoy the sublime 
scene before us ; — the mountain waves of the dark rolling 
deep, the azure vault of heaven, in which the glorious 
sun, the king of day, is pursuing his wonted course. We 
adore the wisdom and power of Him who spreads out the 
heavens like a curtain, and holds the waters in the hollow 
of his hand. Here and there a sail is seen in the distance, 
seeming to rest upon the waters like a swan, laving its 
wings. The policy of our skipper is to keep near shore, 
so he puts the helm for New Hampshire's port. As we 
glide over the waves, we leave Plumb Island on our left, 
and soon the Isle of Shoals on our right, and at mid-day 
discover the village of Portsmouth, and see before us blue 
Agamenticus. Our crew make but a slender repast at 
noon. The sight of food is almost enough, though their 
stomachs are becoming much calmer. This may be owing 
to the comparative calmness of the sea. The wind has 
died away. Our vessel rocks but little, and has, indeed, 



64 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

but little motion of any kind. This, to sailors, is what 
the giving out of a horse upon the road is to the traveler. 
We lay becalmed for an hour or two, when suddenly the 
sky begins to be overcast with dark and threatening 
clouds, and peals of distant thunder are heard. A fresh 
breeze springs up from the north : this induces our skipper 
to run for Portland, to avoid the danger of a squall. The 
thunder is nearer and nearer, and the lightning more and 
more vivid. The wind rises ; the ocean swells ; our min- 
iature vessel rocks violently ; alternately she mounts and 
descends, yet riding securely the foaming waves. Tremu- 
lous and frail as she appears, she yet proves a safe as well 
as fast sailer, and might frighten a landsman to death, be- 
fore she would sink him. We are soon inside of land, 
safely moored in Portland harbor. The storm is more and 
more violent. The rains descend in torrents ; our crew 
shelter themselves in the cuddy. But we are not long 
held in this uncomfortable state. The clouds begin to 
break and disperse ; the sky becomes clear, almost as 
quickly as it gathered blackness. The sun, descending to 
the horizon with his broad disc, pours forth his rays with 
softer beauty, and paints upon the opposite vapor, a bow 
of variegated, enchanting colors, extending in a splendid 
arch across the sky, resting with either foot upon the 
ocean. We leave the harbor, and turn our course east- 
erly, for our destined cove. Night closes in with its dark 
blue vault, studded with glistening stars, affording suffi- 
cient light' for our pilot, especially the north star, ever 
staid and steady, on which he keeps an inquisitive eye. 
He is careful to keep far enough from land to avoid all 
breakers, and have good sea room. Before midnight, we 
are off the mouth of the Kennebeck, and soon pass the 
many coves between that and the Damariscotta. Our 
skipper seems well acquainted with the coast. He has 
probably been here before, in some vessel from Salem, or 
Boston, to fight the eastern Indians. He steers straight 



1634—1700.] FISHING VOYAGE. 65 

for Damarls Cove Island, and entering its snug little 
harbor, anchors for the night. This island is owned by a 
Knight of the east, who has cleared up a little farm at 
the head of the harbor, and is prepared with his flakes 
for drying his neighbors' fish, at the rate of one-sixteenth 
for curing. 

We anticipate the approach of morning, and are on our 
way out of the harbor, for fishing, by the time the first 
streaks of light are breaking from the east. We are soon 
upon the ground, and busy with our lines. The fish are 
very plenty, and very hungry. We have a good haul, 
and our little boat is soon loaded, and on her way to 
the beautiful little harbor. The Knight of the island 
and our skipper, are soon acquainted. The fish are all 
dressed and salted, and laid upon the flakes to be dried ; 
and we are on our way by noon for another load. As we 
come upon the ground, we find some " down-east " boys, 
with their lines in the water. They look with an in- 
quisitive eye upon our Chebacco sailer, — their express- 
ive countenances seeming to say, "that is a queer sort 
of water animal." But we stay not for criticisms. Hand- 
some is, that handsome does. Again our fish are soon 
dancing upon the deck ; and with a second load we make 
for the island. 

After a few such days of toil and success, we are ready 
for a homeward voyage, with a cargo of excellent cod. 
Having rested for the night, we set sail in the morning, 
with a long day before us. Our course is very zigzag, as 
the wind is against us. With a heavy load, and head 
wind, and home in our eye, our patience is much tried 
with our slow progress. But the east winds of Spring 
are not all expended. B}'^ afternoon we have a fresh 
breeze, which puts us forward with good speed. As 
night approaches, we are so well on our way, that we 
conclude to keep running till we make our own river. 
The day is wholly gone : but a beautiful night scene 
9 



66 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

supplies its place. The moon looks down upon the placid 
waves, and, 

" With more pleasing light, shadowy sets off the face of things." 

As we look up, and gaze upon the multitude of stars 
that fill the heavens, we are ready to exclaim with the 
Psalmist, " When I consider the heavens, the work of thy 
fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, 
Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the 
son of man that thou visitest him." 

By the guiding hand of Providence, we safely reach 
our own bay, and entering the river, anchor for the night 
by Cross's Island. In the morning, by the help of the 
flowing tide, we reach the horse-bridge, and are soon 
greeted by friends and neighbors. Some of the same lips, 
that with lengthened visage, and mournful accents, proph- 
esied that we should never see home again, now greet us 
with the joyful words, " Well, there ! I thought so ! I 
knew you would make out well." 

The news of our arrival and success, spreads from house 
to house. Fishing boats and fish become the topics of the 
day. Several are determined to enter into the business ; 
some talk of building at their doors vessels of six or seven 
tons, provided there is a prospect of drawing such large 
craft to the launching-place. Some express a wish that 
the town would grant them a ship-yard. Others think 
they shall not be able to do without one much longer, and 
one or two more saw-mills beside. 

DEATH AND BURIAL OF MR. COGSWELL. 
John Cogswell, Sen., died November 29, 166 9, aged about 
72. We will go to the good man's burial. Many neigh- 
bors and acquaintances are assembled within, and about 
the house. He lies in his cofhn, upon a table in the best 
room of the house, which he had erected with so much 
care, and in which he had enjoyed so much comfort and 



1634—1700.] BURIAL OF MR. COGSWELL. 67 

peace. There sit his weeping widow, and mourning chil- 
dren and grandchildren. You raise the lid of the coffin, 
and gaze upon the ghastly features of him, who, but 
shortly before, was busy, active and useful, having a lead- 
ing part in all the affairs of the town. You call to mind 
the sacrifices he made for his religion and his God, in 
coming from a home of plenty and elegance in the city of 
London, to this wilderness of savage beasts, and more 
savage men ; exchanging the counting-room of the mer- 
chant for a log cabin, and a field of rough unbroken soil, 
to be subdued only by the labors of many a weary day. 
You look with admiration on the remains of such a sainted 
spirit, so justly venerated by his children, and all who 
knew him, and so heartily mourned for, by her who had 
shared his sufferings, and enjoyed his comforts. Both of 
his beloved pastors are present. Rev. Mr. Cobbet, and Rev. 
Mr. Hubbard, with other principal men of the church. 
The ministers and assembly sit in silent meditation. You 
may, perhaps, be expecting a sermon, or a long exhorta- 
tion, from one or both of the ministers ; but our pious 
fathers having suffered so much from their Episcopal 
brethren of the Church of England, were desirous of 
getting as far from them as they could, in all forms 
and ceremonies, and, therefore, would not preach at a 
funeral, nor have any services but a prayer. A few 
words only are now addressed by Mr. Hubbard to the 
mourning family, and then a solemn, and deeply affect- 
ing prayer is offered by Mr. Cobbet, the senior pastor. 
It is early in the day, for the way to the sanctuary of 
the dead is long and tedious, not less than five miles. 
The center of Ipswich was the place where our pious 
fathers went regularly to meeting on the Sabbath, and 
once a week to the Thursday lecture. In Ipswich, 
therefore, they must bury their dead, fast by the house 
of God ; the way to which seemed shorter for being so 
often trodden. 



68 ^ HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

The dead, too, must be borne all the way upon the 
shoulders of men ; for no carriage was then to be had ; 
and if one could have been procured, our ancestors would 
have thought the dead dishonored, by being drawn to the 
grave by a beast. But the time is come for the proces- 
sion to set forth. The widow and children take a last 
lingering look at that dear countenance, which had so 
often cheered them by its smiles, now ghastly in death ; 
and then he is borne out of his house to return no more. 
You look out of the window to see the procession formed. 
The men and the women do not walk together, according 
to the custom of the present day ; but the men go first, 
two and two, after the corpse, because the deceased is a 
male. If it had been a woman who was to be buried, 
women would have gone first. The male relatives walk 
first, and then the female mourners behind them, some of 
them mounted on horses because of the weary distance. 
Behind them, the male part of the neighbors, and citizens, 
and last of all, female acquaintances, more than one often 
riding upon the same beast. Six neighbors, of a similar 
age to the deceased, take hold of the pall, while younger 
men bear the corpse by turns, often relieving each other 
of the heavy burden ; and by the side of the whole, is a 
file of some half-dozen men, with their pikes and muskets, 
as a guard against their savage neighbors. In this silent 
and solitary manner, they bore the deceased to the old 
burying-ground in Ipswich, where his ashes now slumber, 
with that of numerous others from this place, comprising 
all who died here the first half century, after the settle- 
ment began. 

INDIAN WARS. 

In 1675, began the war with Philii^, an Indian chief, in 
Plymouth Colony, who, for some time, had used measures 
to persuade the Indians in all parts of New England, to 
unite against the English. The eastern Indians, about the 



1684-1700.] INDIAN WARS. 69 

same time, commenced hostilities, and butchered many in- 
dividuals, and some whole families. 

The Indians also, bordering upon the Merrimack River, 
feeling themselves injured, by the increase and spread of 
the Eiiglish, once more resumed the bloody tomahawk. 
Not only were the frontier towns in almost constant alarm, 
but all others partook in a greater or less degree of the 
panic. When their war parties came so near as Haverhill 
and Salisbury, killing the defenceless women and children, 
and burning their houses, our ancestors in this place could 
not but partake of the general anxiety. Several, on dif- 
ferent occasions, were called into the army, and went in 
pursuit of the savages far from their homes. John Cogs- 
well, son of John who had taken the lease of the School 
Farm, was taken prisoner by the. Indians, some time in 
October, 1676, during an expedition to the eastward. 
Some years after, a man by the name of Dicks, of this 
place, was killed near Casco. 

MODE OF LIVING. 
We will spend a day at Wiliam Goodhue's, whose house 
stood near the present dwelUng of William Marshall, in 
the north district. Without ceremony, we will call at an 
early hour. As welcome guests, we are invited to sit down 
with the family to a breakfast consisting of a dish of bean- 
porridge. Each has a pewter basin and spoon before him, 
' which Is filled to the brim, from the large iron kettle stand- 
hig upon the hearth. Some Indian hoe-cake is added to 
the repast. Having breakfasted, thanks are given, and 
mercies supplicated, in prayer to Him, who is the source 
of all good. While the hired men repair to the field for 
making hay, the father tarries awhile, and gathers the 
children around him for reading and spelling. A portion 
of an hour, spent in this way, after each repast, is all the 
schooling the times will allow. The women, havmg set 
the house in order, proceed to their daily employment. 



70 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

One repairs to the loom in the chamber, and begins the 
wholesome task of throwing the shuttle, which vies with 
time in its swiftness. Another arranges the spinning- 
wheel, and commences that music, which, if it does not de- 
light the ear, will clothe and warm the body. The younger 
ones are busily employed in knitting. By and by, the 
men and boys come in from the field for their luncheon of 
bread and cheese. The large pewter mug is set on, full of 
malt beer, out of which, they all drink in turn. " I wish," 
says one of the hired men, " we could have a little strong 
water. I was up at Goodman White's the other day, and 
he gave all hands a little, which put us in fine spirits, and 
spurred us on mightily in our work, while it lasted : and 
if we could have had a little now and then, it seems to me, 
we should have done double the work." " But an order," 
says Mr. Goodhue, " has come from our Great, and General 
Court, forbidding us to give wine or liquors to our work- 
men, because it gets them into an evil practice, and trains 
up the young, by degrees, to habits of excess. You feel 
better on strong water for awhile, and so much worse 
after that to make up for it. And then you want more 
and more, the longer you take it, till you get to be a 
drunkard ; or, at least, you are always in danger of this. 
The only safe way, is never to drink any." " But the law," 
replies the workman, " forbids it, except when it is neces- 
sary. Now, I think, if it is ever necessary, it is in the 
Winter, on very cold days, and in the Summer, when mow- 
ing, on very hot mornings." " But the law," replies Mr. 
G:, "means that it is necessary when people are not 
very well." " Then I ought to have some," says another, 
" for my stomach is mighty weak." " And I, too," says 
another, " for at times I feel weak all over." " At this 
rate," says Mr. G., " you will make it out that it is necessary 
all the time, and then what is the law^ good for?" But 
they must hasten to the field, and make hay while the sun 
shines. 



1634—1700.] MODE OF LIVING. 71 

At length, the hour for dinner has come ; for the sim 
lies in square at the window. Anna has been watching 
the mark for noon, and hastened her dinner, so as to be 
in season. She blows the horn at the door, and all in the 
field, and in the house, hear the welcome sound, and hasten 
to the social board. The dinner is of soup, or the liquor 
in which salt meat or pork has been boiled, thickened with 
meal, together with some vegetables. The dish and the 
plates are of pewter. The drink, of malt beer. This is 
their daily fare. After dining, the children again read 
and spell. The labors of the day are then resumed. 
" Come, girls," says the mother, " you know the law re- 
quires that we spin three pounds of flax, three of wool, 
and three of cotton every month, or pay our fine. But 
the worst fine would be, the shame of not doing so well 
as our neighbors. Our class-leader, Goodwife Bradstreet, 
will be here this afternoon, to do her duty, and see how 
we get along. Let us make the wheels go with a good 
loud hum, and reel off all we can." 

The day now begins to decline, and as night draws on, 
the cows are brought up for milking. A good supper of 
hasty pudding and milk follows. In the evening, as the 
workmen rest themselves a little before bed-time, the con- 
versation turns on the use of tobacco. " It seems to me," 
says a young man, who was getting on the wrong side of 
thirty, without any signs of establishing himself in a family 
state, " that a few whiffs from a good pipe, do much to 
rest one after a hard day's work. I learned to smoke in 
England, and could never see any harm in it. I don't un- 
derstand why your law is so severe against it, that I must 
wholly leave smoking, or be liable to a fine of 10s. every 
time I buy any tobacco. Some, I find, do get round the 
law by raising it in their gardens. But this does not help 
a stranger. It seems to me that some of you are as much 
afraid of tobacco as of rum." " We are so, indeed," says 
Mr. G., " for we have marked, that, too commonly, those 



72 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

who like the one, like the other. And here let me remind 
you of the law among us, that requires every single man 
to put himself under the supervision and control of some 
head of a family, as it seems to me you are in great dan- 
ger of its pains and penalties." 

But it is time for us, reader, to retire. And in leaving 
this worthy family, we must not think that we have been 
treated impolitely, because they kept the wheels, and the 
loom, the scythe and the rake, going so fast, that we had 
but little time to talk with them ; or because they did not 
give us coffee or tea, or nice cake, for these things were 
never heard of till more than a hundred years after. 

FORMATION OF THE SECOND PARISH IN IPSWICH. 
In the year 1676, the people of this place began to talk 
in earnest of -seceding from the parish in the center of 
the town, and of becoming a parish by themselves. They 
had now, for more than forty years, traveled over difficult 
roads, four or five, and some of them six or seven miles, 
to their place of worship. The fathers and mothers who 
had fled from persecution in England, and knew by con- 
trast the value of freedom of conscience, thought but little 
of the tediousness of the way to the house of God ; espe- 
cially as they were sensible that they could not sustain 
the institutions of the gospel any nearer to their homes. 
But their children, less sensible of the value of religious 
privileges, were less inclined to make so great a sacrifice 
to enjoy them. The consequence was, a growing disposi- 
tion to tarry at home on the Sabbath. It was this, per- 
haps, chiefly, which stirred up the more considerate and 
religious among them, to take measures for the establish- 
ment of the gospel ministry in this place ; which they 
were now sufficiently numerous and able to sustain. Ac- 
cordingly, in February, 1677, they held a meeting for 
consultation on this subject, at the house of William 
Cogswell, which stood a little north of the dwelling now 



1634—1700.] PETITION FOR PREACHING. 73 

occupied by Albert and Jonathan Cogswell, on the same 
side of the way. The record of this meeting, is the be- 
ginning of our first parish record, which contains several 
interesting documents and entries, of the proceedings of 
our fathers, in relation to their separation from the first 
church and parish in town. Their mode of writing and 
spelling, and their use of capitals, differed from ours. For 
our own convenience, the extracts we may make from this 
record, will be chiefly in the modern style. One or tw^o 
of the shorter ones, will be given in the ancient style as 
a specimen. 

The date of the first meeting is in the record, February, 

1676. But the year at that time, did not begin till the 
25th of March, and so continued, till altered by an act of 
Parliament, in 1752, when the year was ordered to begin 
January 1st, and eleven days were added to it, so as to 
make February 3d, (for example,) February 14th. The 
date, then, of February, 1676, was, in our style, February, 

1677. To prevent confusion in regard to the years, we 
shall place the new style under the old, where a difference 
occurs; thus, February 167-f. 

PETITION FOR LEAVE TO HAVE PKEACHING. 

" At this meeting," says the record, " the inhabitants of 
Chebacco, considering the great straits they were in, for 
want of the means of grace among themselves, unane- 
mously agreeing, and drawing up a petetion and presented 
it to the towne of Ipswich, at a publick towne meeting, 
which was to desire of the towne that thejr might have 
liberty to call a minester to preach among themselves : 
but the towne would not grant it, neither did they seeme 
to refuse it, but would not vote concerning it." 

In conversation with some of the leading men of the 

town, the people here were given to understand, that the 

former had no objection to their having preaching among 

them, especially if they continued to support the ministjy 

10 



H HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

in Ipswich. But still as a town, they would not vote for, 
or against the prayer of the petitioners. This made it 
necessary for them to carry their petition to the General 
Court. The Court refused to grant the petition, but rec- 
ommended them to make further application to the town, 
and the town to give their answer at the next. session of 
the Court. This the town did, and the result was that the 
Court judged it not meet to grant the petition then, but 
recommended to the town " as soon as may be, to contrive 
the accommodation of the petitioners in the matter peti- 
tioned for." This was October, 1677. 

The next town meeting was held, as the Record says, 
February 19, 1677, (new style, March 2, 1678,) at which 
the town voted that the Selectmen confer with the Che- 
bacco neighbors, about what they petitioned, and report 
at the next town meeting. The inhabitants here chose 
William Cogswell, John Andrews, Thomas Low, and Wil- 
liam Goodhue, a committee to confer with the Selectmen. 
Several conferences were held, but without any decisive 
result. 

FIRST PREACHER IN CHEBACCO. 

At length, when they requested of the Selectmen leave 
to call Mr. Jeremiah Shepard to preach among them, a 
part of the Selectmen assented, and the rest made no ob- 
jection. The call was extended to Mr. Shepard, January 
19, 1671, who came, and preached in a private house. 
Finding that no private house was sufficiently large to 
accommodate the people, " They agreed to build a plain 
house, and, if they could obtain leave of the town or 
Court, to put it to the use of a meeting-house : if not, to 
some other use." But before this was done, Mr. Shepard 
gave notice after the religious services of the Sabbath, 
that he had received a letter from an honorable brother 
in Ipswich, saying that the church there was dissatisfied 
with the proceedings of the brethren here, and therefore 
he should desist from preaching. 



1634—1700.] VINDICATION OF PROCEEDINGS. 75 

SECOND PETITION AND ACTION OF THE TOWN. 

Upon this the people here again petitioned the town, but 
without effect. This petition is dated February 4, IGTi 

On the 15th of the next March, the Selectmen, in be- 
half of the town, sent to the General Court a petition and 
address, in which they made many heavy charges against 
the people of Chebacco. The charges are contained in the 
following reply, which, as it was addressed to the Honored 
Court, who had the Ipswich document before them, and in 
the issue were favorably inclined toward the people here, 
we may beheve contained a true statement of the charges, 
and a proper and sufficient reply to them. 

"J. declaration and vindication of the transactions of the inhabitants 
of Chebacco, in the precincts of Ipswich, in refereyice to their late 
proceedings in obtaining the ministry of the gospel among them : 

May 28, 1679. 

" This Honored Court may please to remind that the inhabitants of Chebacco 
have once and again applied ourselves to your Honors, that we might be 
eased of our long and tiresome Sabbath days' journeys to the place of public 
worship in our town, humbly hoping that your Honors would so far sym- 
pathize with us, and favor our shattered condition as to grant us relief, and 
we cannot but gratefully acknowledge your fatherly care, especially in our 
last application of ourselves to this Honored Court, in seriously recommend- 
ing our case to the town of Ipswich : that our friends and neighbors there 
might relieve your humble supplicants in the matter petitioned for, that so we 
might obtain the ministry of the word amongst ourselves, which is our hearts 
deSre ; but contrary to the direction of this Honored Court, and cross to our 
expectations, our friends and neighbors in the town were regardless of our 
suffering condition : whereupon, after due waiting, and due deliberation, we 
did apply ourselves to the town, February 19, 1677, to be informed whether 
or no, they would accommodate us according to the direction of this Honored 
Court ; our necessity, also, calling for relief, the town did take so far cogni- 
zance of our demand, as to refer our case to the Selectmen, to consider with 
us what might be best fot our accommodation ; whereupon, we had a treaty 
with the Selectmen : but the Selectmen turned us going, with dilatory an- 
swers, which were : 

" 1. They alleged that those farmers towards Wenham, were they that were 
meant by the General Court that they should be accommodated with us : we 
replied, that could not be, because the return from the General Court was 



76 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1, 

that we should be accommodated amongst ourselves in the matter petitioned 
for, which was a meeting-house amongst ourselves, and we did not care how 
many neighbors joined with us, provided that we might have the means of 
grace amongst ourselves. 

" 2. They alleged that the war was not yet past, and God's judgments were 
yet hanging over us, and the town was at great charge ; — to which we replied, 
that when we sought to have the means amongst ourselves, we looked at it as 
our duty, and therefore, when the judgments of God were amongst us, that 
it was rather an argument to stir us up to our duty than to lie under the 
omission of it : neither would we put the town to charge, either to erect our 
meeting-house, or maintain our minister. 

" 3. They alleged we belonged to the town, and, therefore, were obliged to 
help the town to bear the charges, and they could not spare our money ; to 
which we replied, that they alleged at the General Court, that we paid but 
17 or 18 pounds to the ministers of Ipswich, and there were three ministers 
to whom the town paid 200 pounds per annum, and if the town would sup- 
ply us with one of them, we would pay one of them 50 pounds towards his 
maintenance yearly. Then they replied, that could not be, and that our 
want was only in the winter, and if we could get a minister to preach to us 
in the winter, they would free us from paying to the ministers in the town, in 
the winter season, and we should come to the public worship in the town in 
the summer, and pay there. 

" This last proposition was the most rational and candid that we have yet ob- 
tained : which hath been a grand encouragement in calling a minister to ac- 
commodate us this last winter season ; though we are now considered heinous 
transgressors in so doing. 

" 4. They alleged, that the Kev. Mr. Hubbard, their teacher, was gone to 
England, and they desired us to wait till he came home again : we answered, 
the direction from the General Court came a considerable time before the 
Rev. Mr. Hubbard took his voyage to England ; yet if they would engage 
to supply us as soon as the Rev. Mr. Hubbard came from England, we were 
willing patiently to wait : which we have done ; but as yet feel no relief. 
Thus having applied ourselves to the Honored General Court, who seriously 
recommended our case to the town of Ipswich, and they referring the agita- 
tion of our case to the Selectmen, and they making a proposition to us to pro- 
vide a minister for the winter, and the extremity of the winter sea,son putting 
us upon great inconveniences, in regard of our attending public worship in 
the town, whereupon, we were put upon a kind of necessity to seek for re- 
lief, if possibly we could obtain the means amongst ourselves ; and, accord- 
ingly we applied ourselves to Mr. Shepard to help us in our present exigency, 
till the winter season was over, engaging to pay our wonted dues to the town 
as formerly, as also to recompense Mr. Shepard for his labors. We applied 
ourselves to him January 1, 1678. Mr. Shepard taking our motion into con- 



1634—1700.] VINDICATION OF PROCEEDINGS. 77 

sideration, and after some space of time we desiring liis answer, he told us he 
was willing to see his way clear, and therefore desired us to consult with those 
that were betrusted with the aflairs of the town, that he might understand 
how they approved of our proceedings : whereupon, some of the principal of 
our inhabitants, who had the betrustment of this affair, obtained a meeting of 
the Selectmen, January 9, 1678 : they desired liberty to call a minister to 
preach with us at Chebacco, and having permission from the Selectmen, none 
of them contradicting our motion, they again applied themselves to Mr. 
Shepard, importuning him to help us, according to our former request : we 
obtained his labors, and were willino; to encourao;e ourselves that we should 
still enjoy him ; comforting ourselves in this, that we hoped we should 
obtain both the pity and favor of this Honored General Court, and accord- 
ingly we put ourselves in a posture for the entertaining the gospel, and were 
willing to lay aside our self-interests, that we might build a house for the 
worship of God. which we were the more vigorous in, by reason that we had 
experienced much, in a little time, of the sweetness and good of that privilege 
in enjoying the means amongst ourselves, whereby the generality of our inhabi- 
tants could comfortably attend the public worship of God; of which some 
hundreds do not, nor, with convenience, can attend the public worship at 
town ; and of so considerable a number of the inhabitants as are amongst us, 
scarce fifty persons the year throughout, do attend the public worship of God 
on the Sabbath days. The house that we have been busied about, for the 
place of public worship, was ever intended for such an end, always with this 
provisal, that this Honored Court do authorize the same, or countenance our 
proceedings therein : if not, we shall ever own ourselves loyal subjects to au- 
thority ; and therefore the same is erected upon a propriety, that if this Hon- 
ored Court see not meet to favor our proceedings, we may turn our labors to 
our best advantage. ' This Honored Court may further be informed that after 
we had enjoyed the benefit of Mr. Sliepard's labors for some considerable time, 
a man of principal worth in the town, sent a letter to him, which signified that 
offence was taken at our proceedings, which letter has date, February 19, 
1678, which Mr. Shepard gave us information of, the Sabbath day following, 
and ever since hath desisted preaching amongst us, — and information was 
given thereof to our Reverend Elders at town ; yet, notwithstanding, a com- 
plaint was exhibited against us at the Honored Court of Assistants, 31 arch 4, 
1678, which signified that Mr. Shepard still continued preaching, and we 
prosecuting our desires, resolving to enforce our demands : whereas Mr. 
Shepard had for a considerable time before desisted preaching, and we re- 
solving to quiet ourselves with the determination of this Honored Court in 
reference to our proceedings: and whereas we are complained of to the Hon- 
ored Court of Assistants, as persons of more unpeaceable s])irits than those 
that reside in tlie other Hamlet, wherein, as is asserted, are persons of worth, 
&c., which yet are so ingenuous as to be quiet hitherto, and not to seek 



78 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. L 

a rending of themselves from the body : — to which we might reply, that the 
worthiness of our neighbors in the other hamlet, should not cause us to dero- 
gate from the worth of our poor souls, nor prevent us from laboring after the 
ordinary means of salvation : and whereas their ingenuousness is applauded 
for not seeking a rending of themselves from the body, we hope our ingen- 
uousness may merit a recommendation of the like nature, who do abhor a 
rending away either from the church or town of Ipswich, as the town will be 
sensible of by our rational and fair propositions : and whereas it is asserted 
in the complaint that we have acted contrary to our agreement with, and en- 
gagement to the town, April 11, 1678, we reply that we are utterly ignorant 
of any engagement, and therefore admire that our neighbors should render us 
so scandalous in the face of the country : but we hope we may with all good 
conscience plead our innocency in this and all other reflections that are cast 
upon us. These things we desire to leave with this Honored Court, as a dec- 
laration of our cause, and a vindication of our innocency, and are ready far- 
ther to inform this Honored Court in what they may please to demand, or in 
what may be alleged against our proceedings." 

The Court, or rather the Council, notwithstanding this 
able and unanswerable vindication, decided that Chebacco 
should desist from all further proceedings in this matter, 
and sent to our fathers an order to this effect. But before 
they received this order, " The sills of the meeting-house 
were laid in Mr. William Cogswell's land, and the timber 
in place ready to raise." 

RAISING THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

" While we were in this great conflict, that all things 
seemed to act against us, some women, without the knowl- 
edge of their husbands, and with the advice of some men, 
went to other towns, and got help, and raised the house, 
that we intended for a meeting-house, if we could get 
liberty."* This was in the Spring of 1679. 

This bold and decisive act of the good women, though 
without the knowledge of their husbands, we may be sure 
was not done without much previous whispering and pri- 
vacy among themselves. We may suppose they had a 
social visit at Mrs. Varney's, just opposite the corner, — the 

* Records, p. 18. 



1634—1700.] EAISING THE MEETING-HOUSE. 79 

site of the intended meeting-house, — on the afternoon of 
the day before the raising, to talk over matters, and see 
what they could do to help their husbands out of this 
trouble. It was only a neighborly visit, though some of 
them were from distant parts of the town. 

If you had stood that afternoon at what is now the 
corner of Colonel J. P. Choate's lane, you would have 
seen them coming upon their saddles and blankets from 
over the river, across the horse bridge, and from the Falls, 
and from the North End, wrapped in their riding hoods, 
to protect them from the chilling blasts of Spring, and 
with countenances betokening important business in hand. 
As they reach the corner, they cast an inquisitive eye 
upon the timber, lying in exact order upon the ground in 
Mr. Cogswell's field, and seeming to invite some skillful, 
if not fair hands, to raise them up and give them union, 
beauty, and strength. They are soon dismounted at Mrs. 
Varney's door, and housed in her best room. It is an 
important meeting, and well attended, though got up 
without any public notice. Let not the men any longer 
say that women cannot keep a secret, for the whole is 
planned, and will be executed without the knowledge of 
their husbands. Let not the men any longer think that 
they can build a church, or fit it up, without the knowl- 
edge and concurrence of the women. As men are not 
invited to this social gathering, we cannot, of course, be 
present, and have no means of knowing what discussions 
were had, or what votes were passed. But we guess that 
all the various difficulties and objections in the way of 
their arduous enterprise, were freely talked over, and 
that, when one spoke of the danger of offending the 
Great and General Court, another bright mind and spark- 
ling eye, suggested that the Court had not said a word 
about the icomen, and only forbidden the men doing any 
thing further in this matter. Another eloquent tongue 
remarked, that the order sent by the Court, mentioned 



80 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

only Chehacco men. They bad good friends in Glouces- 
ter and Manchester, who could come and raise the house 
without any danger. We guess that Mrs. Martin, and 
Mrs. Goodhue, and Mrs. Varney, w^ere appointed, or men- 
tioned, or volunteered, to be a board of managers to go, — 
one to Gloucester precinct, the other two to Manchester, 
to raise men, and bring them on to the ground the next 
day. For, early the next morning, Mrs. Varney, mounted 
on the old family horse, with Mrs. Goodhue behind, and 
their hired man Chub, on another horse, to protect them., 
and Abraham Martin and his wife on another, were seen 
riding together, over the horse bridge, and returning be- 
fore noon, with parties of men from Manchester, and the 
"precinct," and conducting them to the timber in the 
corner of Mr. Cogswell's field. Nothing is said by the 
Chebacco folks : but with great alacrity and cheer, their 
neighbors go to w^ork, and join timber to timber, and 
fasten joint to joint, and soon a whole broadside is seen 
going up ; and by and by another ; and no stop, no stay, 
till the ridge-pole is in its place, and then three hearty 
cheers indicate that the work is done. Many women 
upon horses had already arrived, with well filled sacks 
pending from their saddles, the contents of which they 
deposit at Mrs. Varney's. Their kind neighbors from 
abroad are invited to the supper, without any other en- 
trance fee than the good frame they have been in. The 
tables are spread with a suitable variety of edibles ; among 
which there is a plenty of good tongue. Chebacco men 
are scarce that day, so the good neighbors have to be 
thanked for their labor of love by the ladies alone. 

On the next Tuesday, the constable came down from 
Ipswich, with the following warrant from " our Honored 
Major General :" 

''To the Constable of Ipsioich: — You are hereby required to attach the 
body of Abraham Martin, and John Chub, and bring them before me on 
Tuesday next, about one of the clock, to answer for their contempt of au- 



1634—1700.] ACTION OF THE COURT. 81 

thority in helping to raise a meeting-bouse at Cliel>acco. You arc also, at 
the same time to bring with you the wife of William Goodhue, the wife of 
Thomas Varney, and the wife of Abraham Martin, for procuring, or abetting 
and encourao-ing; the raising the said house : and so make return hereof under 
your hand." 

They were accordingly tried in Ipswich, and found 
guilty, and bound over to the next court in Salem. 

ACTION OF THE GENERAL COURT AND ITS 
COMMITTEE. 

But the General Court, having cognizance of the case, 
at their session, May 28, 1679, ordered that they appear 
at Salem Court, and make their acknowledgment in these 
words, viz : 

" That they are convinced that they have ofeuded in soe doeing, for which 
they are sorry, and pray it may be forgiven them, and soe to be dismissed 
without any farther trouble, charge, or attendance, in that respect, or farther 
attendance on the councell for that theire offence. Attests, Edward Rawson, 
Secretary." 

This Court also chose a committee, consisting of Joseph 
Dudley, Richard Waldron, Anthony Stoddard, William 
Jonson, and Henry Bartholomew, for the settlement of 
the business of Chebacco, touching the place of public 
worship amongst them, and the settlement of a minister. 
This committee sat here the 23d of July, 1679, and heard 
the statement of a delegation from Ipswich, that the town 
and the church were satisfied with the acknowledgment 
made by those active in raising the meeting-house, and 
heard also the reasons presented by them for removing 
Chebacco meeting-house nearer the centre of Ipswich, to 
accommodate the people at the farms. But the committee, 
in their decision, say, that "though a removal of the house 
farther toward Ipswich, might accommodate some more of 
the inhabitants, and farmers of said town, yet as the 
people here are competent to support a minister by them- 
selves, and the proposed removal of the house would 

greatly discommode those living at the head, and over the 
11 



82 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

river of Chebacco; therefore, the place where the house 
now standeth, be, and is, hereby allowed by us ; and they 
have liberty to proceed to the finishing of said meeting- 
house." The committee further say : 

"Kespecting the settlement of an able, pious, and orthodox minister 
among them, for the due management of the worship of God, we find, by a 
paper presented to us, that they greatly desire the settlement of Mr. Shepard, 
as their minister, but as he hath not professed his subjection to the order of 
the gospel amongst us, in joining to any particular Congregational Church, 
we see not reason at present to advise Mr. Shepard's preaching or settlement 
amongst them." 

We see here a continuance of the same fear which 
manifested itself in the first settlement of the colony, that 
Episcopacy, or some other church power, should gain the 
ascendency, and triumph over civil freedom. As Congre- 
gationalism was purely democratic, it excited no fears, and 
was ardently cherished. The committee farther advised 
the people here, seriously to consider, with invocation of 
God's name, of some meet person, learned, able and pious, 
to manage the public worship of God amongst them, and 
to report to them between that and the day before the 
meeting of General Court, in October following. At that 
time, a delegation from this place, appeared before the 
committee, and stated, that for want of time, or some other 
considerations, Mr. Shepard had not complied with their 
advice ; but that their desires were . still towards him. 
Upon which, the committee appointed the 2d Tuesday in 
April, 1680, for a further hearing of this matter. At that 
meeting, the delegation of this place presented to the 
above committee, Mr. John Wise, as one in whom they 
were unanimously agreed to be their pastor, and who was 
approved and accepted by the committee. 

Mr. Shepard doubtless left Chebacco, July, 1679, ac- 
cording to the advice of the committee ; otherwise the 
people here would have become offenders by employing 
him, and would have been summoned to Court as such. 
Mr. Shepard was the son of Rev. Thomas Shepard, of 



1634—1700.] FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 83 

Cambridge. He was graduated at Harvard College, 16 G 9. 
After leaving this place, he was settled in Lynn, and con- 
tinued in the ministry there 41 years, being eminent in 
his profession. 

SITE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

After leave obtained of the Court, our ancestors doubt- 
less proceeded to finish the meeting-house, in part, at least, 
that same Summer and Autumn, As the site of this first 
house of worship is a matter of doubt with some, we give 
the following facts, which show^ that it must have been the 
lot of land now covered by the house and barn of Cap- 
tain Joseph Choate. 

The people here petitioned the town, February, 1679, 
for leave to set this house on the common land, by Thomas 
Varney's which was opposite to where Captain Choate's 
house now is. This being refused, " The sills were laid," 
says the record, " on said William Cogswell's land, and the 
timber in place ready to raise." * 

At a parish meeting, August, 1693, it was voted that 
the two short seats in the meeting-house be given to Wil- 
liam Cogswell and his heirs, on condition that he, or they, 
give to the parish a legal assurance of land under said 
house and adjoining. Mr. Cogswell's land extended from 
the head of the lane, which is now Spring street, to the 
head of the lane leading by Colonel Choate's house, then 
the road to Gloucester. 

The north-western corner of his field, (now Captain 
Joseph Choate's house-lot,) was near to that lot on the 
common, or parsonage, which our fathers selected, but 
which the town would not grant. It was the most cen- 
tral, as the corner where three roads met. The deed of 
Captain Choate's house lot, recognizes the fact of its hav- 
ing been owned by Adam Cogswell, a son of William, 
and gives the dimensions thirteen rods by three, which 
were suitable for a meeting-house lot. 

* Records, p. 12. 



84 HISTOKT OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

The record says that the site of that first meeting- 
house was four and a half miles from IpsAvich meeting- 
house, which is precisely the distance of Captain Choate's 
house, to Ipswich north church. 

When the author came here, forty years ago, there were 
several aged' people living, whose fathers and mothers 
had worshiped in the first house, (as late as 1719,) and 
whose testimony was, that it stood on the site of Captain 
Choate's house, which in their younger days was called 
Meeting-House Hill. 

The second house, built in 1719, was fifty-two feet by 
forty-two. From which we may conclude, that the first 
house was somewhere about forty-two by thirty-six. It 
faced the west, as we learn from the record ; had two 
doors in front, with wooden latches, and " good and suffi- 
cient strings" for lifting the latches. There were gal- 
leries on three sides of the house : the pulpit stood on the 
eastern side, opposite to the doors, with a solid and ele- 
vated sounding-board, over the head of the preacher, and 
a handsome cushion for the Bible. Only two or three 
pews were built at first ; the rest of the floor of the house 
was covered by long and short seats : the same in the gal- 
leries. A turret was built on the centre of the house, 
" after the fashion, and in the proportions of the turret in 
Andover." In this turret a bell was hung. The salary 
of the sexton, for ringing the bell, and sweeping the house, 
and setting the bason with water for baptizing, was 20s., 
and freedom from parish taxes, 

SELECTMEN— MODE OF SEATING THE 
CONGREGATION. 

The committee of the parish were styled, the .Select- 
men of Chebacco. Their stated business was to assess 
the tax for the support of the minister, and for defraying 
other parish expenses. Occasionally, they were instructed 
to see that the pulpit cushion was repaired, that the broken 
glass in the windows was mended, and the strings of the 



1634—1700.] MODE OF SEATING. 85 

doors kept in order, that tliey might be easily shut and 
opened. 

After the house was so far finished as to be convenient 
for public worship, a committee was chosen " to dignify 
the seats;" with instructions to begin at the centre seats, 
as first in dignity, and account the others more or less 
honorable, as they approached to, or receded from, the 
centre. . Annually, a committee was chosen to seat the 
people in the more or less honorable seats, according to 
the amount of taxes which they paid, or the offices which 
they filled. If the reader is surprised at these aristocratic 
notions in our ancestors, they may find some apology for 
them in the fact that they came from a land of aristocracy ; 
or perhaps a better apology in the fact that something of 
the same custom prevails at this day ; with this difference 
only, that people now choose for themselves more or less 
costly seats, as best suits their own notions, and thus dig- 
nify their own seats. In our fathers' days, the assignment 
to a lower seat by the committee, because one did not pay 
so much as his neighbors, never gave satisfaction and there 
were not unfrequent rebellions against the lawful authori- 
ties on this account, though the practice continued for 
many years. 

The parish vote that the Selectmen cause posts to be 
set round the house, that Mr. Cogswell's fence may not be 
damnified by the tying of horses. Several flat rocks with 
steps, were, according to the custom of the day, placed in 
convenient position for mounting the horses. 

DEDICATION OF THE HOUSE. 
Everything in and about the house being thus arranged, 
and Mr. Wise, whom they had chosen to settle with them, 
having arrived, April, 1680, measures are taken for the 
dedication of the house to the service of God. It is on 
Wednesday, the day usually selected for ordinations and 
dedications. The occasion, as a matter of course, excites 
much interest among the people here, who begin early in 



86 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

the day to prepare for attendance. Their neighbors in 
Manchester and Gloucester West Parish, who raised the 
house, we may well suppose, were there, and many of 
their friends with them. 

We will go to the North End, and attend the dedication. 
As 3^ou approach the house, you see many collected, and 
many others coming, some on foot, and some on horseback. 
The posts are all occupied with horses, and Mr. Cogswell 
is so exhilarated with the day, that he will not complain 
if his fence suffers a little by the many that are fastened 
thereto. Standing opposite to the house, you look up and 
see a plain two story building, with a double row of dia- 
mond glass window^s, and a turret on the middle of the 
ridge-pole. The sharp sound of the bell tells you that the 
hour of service is near at hand ; you walk up to one of 
the doors, and enter by pulling the string which hangs 
gracefully dawn. A side aisle is before you, and you are 
shown to the strangers' seats. Before the service begins, 
you notice the appearance of the inside of the church ; 
above, all is open to the roof; the beams and rafters are of 
solid white oak. The boarding of the roof is new, and 
not yet occupied with the spiders' webs and swallows' 
nests. The walls above the galleries are not yet plastered. 
You look for the singers' seats, but such a thing is not 
even imagined. All that can sing in the house, are " the 
singers." The pulpit is plain, but lofty, with a spacious 
window behind, and a massive sounding-board above, to 
prevent the voice of the speaker from ascending to the 
ridge-pole. In front of the pulpit is a high seat, or pew, 
for the deacons, and a pew by the side of the pulj^it for 
the minister's family. The deacon's seat is empty, as the 
church is not yet organized. One suitable to fill the office 
of deacon, is chosen by the parish, to read the psalm or 
hymn, and jDitch the tune. As you glance at the audience, 
you see the women by themselves on the short seats, on 
both sides of the house. They are covered with thin hoods 
and short cloaks. The gentlemen on the long seats in the 



1634—1700.] 



KEY. MR. WISE. 87 



middle of the house are clad in homespun coats and deer- 
skin small clothes, blue or gray stockings, with shoes and 
broad buckles. The whole presents to you a very ancient 
appearance, as yours will to posterity, two hundred years 
hence. But soon the minister enters and ascends the pul- 
pit. Mr. Wise is a tall, stout man, majestic in appearance, 
of great muscular strength ; his voice is deep and strong ; 
his sermon is adapted to the occasion ; and by appropriate, 
fervent prayer, he consecrates the house to God. The 
singing is apparently by the whole assembly, and though 
not of the most refined kind, it is hearty and strong. 
Books are scarce in that day, so the psalm is read for sing- 
ins:, one line at a time. After the benediction the numer- 
ous audience, interested, and, perhaps, edified by the ser- 
vices, retire from the sanctuary ; when all the friends from 
abroad are cordially invited by the people here, to go with 
them to their homes to partake of the rich repast, which 
had been previously made ready. 

The people of this parish while they supported their 
own minister, continued to pay their accustomed rates for 
the support of the two ministers in Ipswich, till February, 
1681. In October, 1680, they petitioned the Court to be 
set free from paying ministerial taxes in Ipswich. In an- 
swer to this the Court say : 

"We judge it meet that all the people, inbabitants of Ipswich, shall con- 
tinue their several proportions to the maintenance of the ministry there, 
unless those of Chebacco be discharged from payment to the ministry of 
Ipswich, and left to maintain their own minister. 

"A true copy, — Attest, Edwaud Rawson, Secretary.'''' 

At a town meeting held the 15th of the following Feb- 
ruary, the town accepted this latter part of the Court's 
order, and discharged Chebacco from any farther taxes to 
support their ministers. 

BOUNDARY LINE OF CHEBACCO. 

At this meeting they also defined the boundary line 
between Ipswich, and Chebacco, or between the first and 



88 niSTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

second parishes of Ipswich, viz : from the head of Choate's 
brook to run down to Castle Neck River, as the creek runs 
into the river and so to the sea; also from the head of 
said brook to Marbles', thence including Knight's farm, 
and to run on a straight line from the southerly corner of 
said Knight's farm, to the double U. tree on Wenham line, 
and so on the south-east upon the neighboring towns to 
the sea. This the Court afterwards so far altered, as to 
have Knight's flirm belong to the Hamlet. The present 
bounds do not touch Wenham. 

GRAVE-YARD. 

At this same meeting, February 15, 1680, they granted 
one acre of ground to Chebacco for a grave-yard. 

SETTLEMENT OF MR. WISE. 

Mr. Wise continued to supply the pulpit statedly, for 
more than three years, before he was ordained their pas- 
tor. The reason for this delay is not stated. Probably 
the church in Ipswich w^as slow in being reconciled to the 
thought of parting with so many of its members. The 
members of that church residing here, sent in a request, 
dated September 6, 1681, to be dismissed, for the purpose 
of being organized into a church in this place. How soon 
this request was granted, does not appear ; but the church 
was not organized here till about two years after ; and of 
course those making the request still remained members 
of Ipswich church during that time. 

In February, 1682, the parish extended a formal call to 
Mr. Wise to settle with them as their pastor. Again in 
May following they chose a committee to treat with him 
about a settlement. They offer him for his support, ten 
acres of land, which they had bought for this purpose of 
Richard Lee, to be his own and his heirs and assigns for- 
ever. This was called his settlement. His annual salary 
was to be £60, or about $290, — one-third in money, and 
two-thirds in grain, at the current price, — forty cords of 



1634—1700.] CHURCH OEGANIZED. 89 

oak wood by the year yearly, and eight loads of salt hay. 
In addition to this they agree to build, and keep in repair, 
for his use, a parsonage — house and barn ; the house to 
be equal in every respect to Samuel Giddings' house ; 
which seems to have been a model house in that day. 
He was also to have the use of the parsonage lands and 
the strangers' contributions. This was a generous sup- 
port. Comparing the value of money and grain, and the 
common style of living in that day, with the present, we 
may safely say that it would require at least $800 per 
annum to sujDport a minister as well at this day.* The 
parsonage-house stood on the parsonage-land, now owned 
by Josiah Low, at the north end of that enclosure. The 
remains of the cellar are still to be seen. The ten acres 
given him for his settlement were in the rear of the house 
owned by the late John Mears, senior. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH AND ORDINA- 
TION OF MR. WISE. 

Mr. Wise, the pastor elect, was born at Roxbury, and 
educated at Harvard College. He was twenty-one years 
old when he left college. As he did not commence preach- 
ing here till he was twenty-eight, he doubtless spent much, 
if not all, of the intervening time, in preparing for the min- 
istry, and in supplying vacant pulpits. On the day of his 
ordination, August 12, 1683, he was a little more than 
thirty-one years of age, having been born July, 1652. 
The church was organized on the day of his ordination, 
and by the same council which set him over it as pastor. 

As William Cogswell had been a leading man in estab- 
lishing the parish and church, and in building the meet- 
ing-house on his own land, we may naturally suppose that 
the council met at his house, which was not far from the 
meeting-house, on the afternoon of August 11th. 

The first church record kept by Mr. Wise, was lost. 
We have therefore no copy of the letter-missive sent to 

♦1853. 
12 



90 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

the churches for their attendance in coimcil, and no means 
of knowing what churches were sent to, except in the 
case of the Wenham church ; whose record notices the 
letter to that church from Chebacco, inviting them to be 
present by their pastor and delegates, to aid in organizing 
a church, and ordaining Mr. Wise as their pastor. This is 
the only record extant of the origin of this church, August 
12, 1683. The Wenham record proceeds to say that the 
church voted to comply with the request, and chose Cap- 
tain Fiske, George Gott, Deacon Fiske, with their pastor. 
Rev. Joseph Gerrish, to attend in the proposed council. 

William Cogswell married Martha, the daughter of Rev. 
John Emerson of Gloucester; so that he was doubtless 
present with his delegates. Rev. Messrs. Cobbet, and 
Hubbard, respectively the pastor, and teacher of those 
who were to be gathered into a church, could not of course 
be absent. Rev. Edward Payson of Rowley was also a na- 
tive of Roxbury, a graduate of the same college with Mr. 
Wise, and of nearly the same age, and was of course in- 
vited to be on the council, with his delegates. Rev. Jere- 
miah Shepard of Lynn, who had been with this jDCople in 
their first separation from Ipswich church, and to whom 
they were ardently attached, as a minister of the gospel, 
would also receive an invitation to attend the council. 
The church in Manchester as a near neighbor, and whose 
good men had kindly helped our women in raising the 
meeting-house, would not of course be passed by. Their 
preacher. Rev. Mr. Winborn, was not settled over them as 
pastor, yet he was doubtless present with the delegates 
from that church. The church in Roxbury, in which Mr. 
Wise had been brought up under the ministry of the ven- 
erated Elliot, — styled the apostle to the Indians, from his 
benevolent labors among them, — we might suppose w^ould 
be invited to be present with their pastor and delegates, 
were it not for the o-reat ao-e of Mr. Elliot, then in his 
eightieth year, and the difficulty of traveling so great a 
distance, in that day. 



1634—1700.] CHUKCII ORGANIZED. 91 

Aside from the Roxbury church, we have six others, 
which were doubtless here by their pastors and delegates, 
making a council of twenty or more. Their first business, 
after organizing at the house of Mr. Cogswell, was to ex- 
amine the documents respecting the proposed organization 
of the church ; such as the request of church members 
here to be dismissed, for this purpose, from the church in 
Ipswich, and the vote of the Ipswich church to grant this 
request, with the accompanying letter of dismission and 
recommendation. These being found regular by the coun- 
cil, they proceed to examine, and pass judgment upon 
those relating to the ordination of Mr. Wise ; the call of 
the parish extended to him, and his answer, his church 
standing, and letter of dismission and recommendation, 
that he may be a church member here ; together with his 
licensure to preach, usually given in that day by some 
church that had examined the candidate. Being satisfied 
with these papers, the next business of the council is to 
examine Mr. Wise, as to his theological attainments and 
soundness in the faith, and religious experience. This 
examination takes up the rest of the day, and the council 
adjourn to an early hour in the morning. Assembled in 
the morning, they express by vote their satisfaction with 
the pastor elect, and proceed to designate the ministers 
who are to perform the several parts in his ordination, and 
also those who are to lead in the services at the organiza- 
tion of the church. They then proceed in procession from 
Mr. Cogswell's to the meeting-house. Great numbers are 
in attendance from this and the neighboring towns. 

The day is warm and every door and window of the 
house is thrown open ; the bell from the turret sends forth 
its peals with more than usual animation ; every eye 
sparkles, every countenance brightens ; the crowd at the 
door open to the right and left for the council to pass in ; 
then all enter that can ; every seat is filled, every aisle 
crowded ; the many without are not far from the pulpit, 
and can readily hear through the open doors and windows. 



92 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

The services are all of an interesting character to puritan 
hearts, and are listened to with devout attention, espe- 
cially by those who are thus to receive a spiritual watch- 
man and guide. The council are seated in front of the 
pulpit, the persons to be organized into a church are on 
each side of them, the men on the right, the women on 
the left. Mr. Cobbett, the oldest minister on the council, 
and of course its moderator, commences the services by 
prayer; he then calls upon those who are to be formed 
into a church to rise, that they may in that public and 
solemn manner give their assent to the confession of faith, 
and covenant, previously prepared. The confession of faith 
is doubtless a brief summary of that which had just been 
adopted by all the puritan churches in a general Synod in 
Boston, and which contains the doctrine of the Triune God, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; of the native and entire de- 
pravity of man; regeneration by the Holy Spirit; justifica- 
tion by faith in the atoning blood of Christ; the persever- 
ance of the saints; the everlasting happiness of the right- 
eous; the eternal misery of the wicked; with other kin- 
dred doctrines, involved in them, and growing out of them. 
The covenant administered to them, is in these words : 

You do in the name and fear of God (as in the presence of God, men and 
angels,) take God, Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your only 
portion, and chiefest good ; giving up yourself and yours unto His use, and 
service, in the sincerity and uprightness of your hearts ; you do promise by 
the assistance of Divine Grace, to walk in His fear, according to the rule of 
worship and manners towards God and men, all your days, as He shall re- 
veal His mind to you out of His holy word and truth ; farther you do by 
your own choice and act, (highly esteeming the privileges of God's house- 
hold,) yield yourselves, as members of the Church of Christ, before which 
you now stand. Expecting its faithful watch over you ; and you promise 
subjection to the discipline of Christ in it, both corrective and directive, while 
God shall continue you members of it ; also promising all love and watchful- 
ness over your fellow members, you do resolve to discharge all your duties 
both to God and men, Christ by His grace assisting you.* 

* Mr. Pickering, successor to Mr. Wise, says in his Record, that Mr. Wise's son, 
Rev. Jeremiah Wise of Berwick, Me., handed him this covenant, as the original 
covenant of this church. 



1634—1700.] ORDINATION OF MR. WISE. 93 

Havino; o-iven tlieir assent to this covenant, and con- 
fession of faith, Mr. Cobbet, in the name of the council, 
declares them to be a regular church of Christ, in fellow- 
ship with all sister churches. 

The ordination services immediately follow. Judging 
from the usage, which has come down to us from our 
fathers, we may naturally suppose that these services 
were performed by the following persons. Introductory 
prayer, Mr. Winborn ; prayer before the sermon, Mr. Shep- 
ard ; sermon, Mr. Hubbard ; ordaining prayer, Mr. Emer- 
son ; charge to the pastor, Mr. Cobbet; right hand of 
fellowship, Mr. Payson ; concluding prayer, Mr. Gerrish ; 
benediction by the pastor. The services close sufficiently 
early to allow all to partake of the hospitalities of dinner, 
and to ride to their several homes before sunset. Thus 
was organized the first church and parish in this place, 
which took the name of " the second church and parish 
in Ipswich." Soon after its organization, the church chose 
John Burnham, and Thomas Low, deacons. 

TRAINING -DAY. 

The jealousy, and hostility of the Indians made it neces- 
sary for our ancestors to be in constant preparation to de- 
fend themselves. As early as 1634, it was ordered that 
every trained soldier, pikeman and others, be equipped 
for service. Training was to be eight times in the year. 
Lads from ten to sixteen formed platoons by themselves, 
armed with small guns, half pikes, or bows and arrows ; 
and boys under ten, who on training days came to look 
on, were formed into a platoon and drilled by some officer 
appointed for the purpose by the captain. This gave to 
them a courage and hardihood which accounts for some 
remarkable feats performed by children. One in particu- 
lar has come down to us from olden time by tradition. 
The scene is in the edge of the woods where the late Asa 
Burnham resided. A lad by the name of Burnham, about 
ten years old, was walking in the woods, and came sud- 



94 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

clenly upon two cubs. He amused himself with them for 
a few moments ; when to his terror he saw the old bear 
coming fiercely upon him with a wide yawning mouth. 
He instantly seized a pine knot, which lay near him, and 
as she came up, thrust it with all his might down her 
throat, and then ran for the house ; but it was enough, 
she could not follow him. When his father came out with 
his gun, he found her in the struggles of death. The 
jagged edges of the knot caused it to stick fast, till she 
was completely choked. 

But we will go upon the common, and see the soldiers 
upon parade. It is the first training day ever witnessed 
in Chebacco, (1683.) Previous to this all able to bear 
arms, were obliged to travel to the center of the town, 
with all their accoutrements, eight times in a year, for a 
military muster. But Chebacco has now become the sec- 
ond, parish in Ipswich, with a minister settled among them, 
and they must have a military company for their honor, 
and defence. Lieutenant John Andrews is commander of 
the company, William Goodhue, ensign, Samuel Ingalls, 
corporal, and Thomas Varney, sergeant. Early in the 
morning Sergeant Varney, with the drummer and fifer, 
are seen traversing the place, reminding all by beat of 
drurti to assemble on the ground according to previous 
notice. " The spirit-stirring drum, and the ear-piercing 
fife," raise up the buoyant spirits of the young, who an- 
ticipate a large share of pleasure on this day of parade. 
But the older men, aw^are of the dangers of war, especially 
of the insidious, and bloody assaults of the Indian, cannot 
but look grave, though it be training day. The hour of 
muster is come. They are formed into a line sixty-four 
in number. At the end of the line on the left is the pla- 
toon of boys from ten to sixteen years, and still farther 
on, those under ten. The roll is called with loud and 
measured tones, and answered by the no less solemn and 
significant, " here." 

You are particularly struck with the appearance of the 



1634—1700.] FIRST TRAININ'G-DAY. 95 

officers, as they stand out in front of the hne. Lieutenant 
Andrews, in the mihtary style of the day, is dressed in 
red small-clothes, and red stockings, with a profusion of 
gold lace ujton his three-cornered hat. 

You look upon the long line of men, and see counte- 
nances of steady courage, and manly sense, with bodies of 
great muscular strength : their dress is not perfectly uni- 
form, yet they have all deerskin small-clothes, and blue 
stockings, with coats of good homespun cloth, spun and 
woven by their wives, and daughters. The platoon of boys, 
with wigs encircling their rosy cheeks; and small-clothes 
buckled at their knees, with long stockings, and broad 
buckles upon their shoes, appear like men in miniature. 

As fire-arms are scarce, only about two-thirds of the com- 
pany have muskets ; the rest have pikes, and the pikemen 
are by law dressed with head-pieces and corselets. Bul- 
lets too are scarce, and smooth stones fitted to the bore of 
the gun, are substituted for them. On the left, beyond the 
boys, is a group of Indians with their squaws and pappooses, 
looking on with much curiosity and earnestness. They eye 
the scene with a keen and jealous look ; often curling the 
lip with contempt at seeing the English boy handling the 
cross-bow ; which, however, is suddenly changed to fear 
when the white men's guns all speak together. 

It was, with the blessing of God, the Englishman's gun 
of which the Indians had not learned the use, nor obtained 
possession, which saved him from the deadly massacre of 
the tomahawk. But, see, while we are moralizing, the 
whole company is in motion ; they are marching and coun- 
termarching, with a quick step in accordance wnth the 
music. All the spectators are in motion following them 
round, back and forth, with exhilarated feelings, inspired 
by martial sounds. Even the half-naked Indian children 
feel the inspiration, and set their little feet in motion to 
keep time with the drum. Presently the soldiery are on 
their way to the North End, closely followed by all the 
lookers on ; they halt in front of the meeting-house, and 



96 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

perform various evolutions ; they proceed to the house of 
the pastor and offer the customary tokens of military re- 
spect. By the time they reach the common again, it is 
high noon. They ground their arms, and have a recess 
for two hours, to visit their homes for dinner. In the 
afternoon all are together again, each in his place, ready 
to take arms at the word of command. Most of the aged 
men, and nearly all the women, old and young, have come 
out to witness the first training. 

Mr. Wise is present, full of patriotic emotions, and ap- 
preciating fully the importance of the day, as one of prep- 
aration to defend their country, and their firesides from the 
deadly foe. Wars, and rumors of wars, are all around. 
This saddens the hearts of fathers and mothers, as they 
look upon their sons, and think of their liability to be 
called to the battle-ground. But the regimentals and the 
music, and the waving banner, and the variety of involu- 
tions and evolutions banish all sadness from the hearts of 
the young, and they think of nothing but the holiday 
scene before them, and associate with training day only 
bright ideas and joyous emotions. The afternoon is dili- 
gently spent by the trainers in their various military ex- 
ercises, and laboriously enjoyed by all the spectators. Be- 
fore night they are dismissed and retire. 

The constable with his long black staff tipped with 
brass, is on the alert in accordance with his oath of office, 
to see that none loiter behind for any evil practice, but 
that all may find an early home, and an early bed. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 
The latter part of this century, the inhabitants of New 
England generally experienced much alarm, and suffering, 
from the bloody assaults of the Indians, who were msti- 
gated to these murderous attacks by the Canadian French. 
It was therefore deemed desirable to carry the war into 
the French dominions ; and an expedition was fitted out 
for that purpose under the command of Sir William Phips. 



1634—1700.] RESISTANCE TO TYRANNY. 97 

He sailed in August, 1G90, with a fleet of thirty-two sail, 
and arrived before Quebec in the following October, But 
owing to several unpropitious circumstances, the exj)edi- 
tion failed, and in November, the troops arrived in Boston. 
"The expedition involved the government in a heavy 
debt; a thousand men perished, and a general gloom 
spread through the country." 

The Indians continued their depredations, and butch- 
eries for several years, exhausting the resources of the 
Colonists, and depressing their spirits. The inhabitants 
of this town were often called on to defend their neigh- 
bors at the eastward, and nearer home, during this de- 
structive Indian war. It is pleasing to reflect that our 
forefathers made no aggressive wars. They treated the 
Indians kindly, buying their lands of them at a reasona- 
ble, and fair price, and using every eflbrt to civilize and 
christianize them. It was not till, without provocation, 
the savages sought to destroy them with their wives and 
little ones, that they took arms in their own defence, and 
were compelled to use them, till their foes were nearly all 
destroyed, or driven back into the interior of the country. 

INDEPENDENCE DECLARED, 1687. 

On the death of Charles II., James II. ascended the 
throne. Under his reign. Sir Edmund Andros was ap- 
pointed Governor of all the New England Colonies. In 
1687, he caused a tax to be levied upon the people of this 
colony of Id. on £1, which was a violation of their charter 
rights, and their rights as Englishmen, not to be taxed with- 
out their consent in a Legislative Assembly. 

The minister of this place, feeling that the liberties of 
the country were in danger, went with two of his parish- 
ioners, John Andrews, Sen., and William Goodhue, to the 
centre of the town, to confer with friends there on the 
subject. A meeting for consultation was held at the house 
of John Appleton, who lived, it is said, not far from where 

the Railroad Depot now is. At that meeting, after much 
i:; 



98 IIISTOIIY OF ESSEX. [Ckap. 1. 

patriotic discourse flowing from hearts glowing with the 
flame of liberty, it was determined that it was not the duty 
of the town to aid in assessing, and collecting this illegal 
and unconstitutional tax. 

In a general town meeting the next day, August 23, 
which had been called for this purpose, remarks were freely 
made to this effect by several ; and Mr. Wise, in particular, 
made a bold and impressive speech, in which he urged his 
townsmen to stand to their privileges, for they had a good 
God and a good King to protect them. We have no rec- 
ord of this speech ; but with his sentiments and language 
before us w his j^rinted work on the liberty of the churches, 
we may well suppose that he spoke in substance as follows: 

3Ir. Moderator : — The question before us is one of the deepest concern to us 
all, involving our dearest rights and privileges ; it is not a mere question of prop- 
erty, whether we will pay the amount of tax levied upon us by his Majesty's 
servant, the Governor of this Province, but whether we will surrender the right 
so dear to every Englishman's heart, and so essential to his civil freedom, that 
of levying our own taxes, and controlling our own means of subsistence. This 
right is inherent in the British Constitution, and is guaranteed to us by our 
Provincial Charter. It is essential to our civil and religious freedom, to our 
personal safety and welfare, and to the security, and tranquillity of our firesides. 

For it is plain that if any portion of our property, however small, may be 
taken from us without our consent, then by the same principle, the whole of 
it may be taken, and our persons and families be rendered penniless, and 
houseless, and subjected to the most abject and cruel servitude. Thus re- 
duced to a state of vassalage, we subsist wholly by the clemency of the des- 
pot, and may be destroyed at any moment of arbitrary caprice or displeasure. 
Need I say. Sir, that such an assumption of power would not be tolerated 
for a day, no, not for a moment, in our father-land ? Is not the principle that 
taxation and representation go together, as familiar there as household words ? 
Has it not been argued, and demonstrated in letters of blood, that not the 
house of Lords, nor the Monarch upon tlic throne, but the Commoners only, 
the real agents of the people, can impose taxes ? Have we lost this inesti- 
mable privilege by being ait a greater distance from Parliament than some of 
our brethren ? Are we not Englishmen still, living under the royal govern- 
ment, and entitled to all the privileges and immunities of I^ritish subjects ? 
And can we then tamely surrender these rights, by the payment of this ille- 
gal and unconstitutional tax, thus admitting a precedent and a principle so 
destructive of all our liberties ? 

We go sir, for law, and order, and authority ; but we insist that by the 



1634—1700.] MK. WISE's SPEECH. 99 

law of nature, -whicli is the law of God, and of right reason, all power and 
all authority in civil matters, have their origin wholly with the people. In 
their natural state every man is his own master, and protector ; and if he 
could secure his own welfare, and safety with equal efficieucy single-handed, it 
wou'ld be folly for him to sacrifice any portion of his natural liberty, in which 
he is his own king and councilor. But this not being possible, he enters a 
civil community, the chief end of which is that those thus associated, may be se- 
cured against the injuries, to which they are liable from their fellow men. This 
end is best answered by a government substantially democratic ; in which the 
people have a voice in all that concerns their safety, liberty, and property. 

Such a government, it is said, is the British empire ; a limited monai'chy 
based upon a noble and efficient democracy ; where the concurrence of the 
Lords, and Commons, in making and repealing all statutes or acts of Parlia- 
ment, is necessary ; and thereby hath the main advantages of an aristocracy, 
and of a democracy both, and yet is free from the disadvantages of either. 
It is such a monai'chy, as by most admirable temperament, affords very much 
to the industry, liberty and happiness of tlie subjects, and reserves enough 
for the majesty aud prerogative of any King, who will own his people as sub- 
jects, not as slaves. All this we would fain believe true of the British Con- 
stitution ; and yet we look back upon the republics of Greece, and see some 
very desirable principles of liberty, which though they failed under paganism, 
we are confident may be sustained, and carried out under the conservative in- 
fluence of Christianity. Of the Athenian Commonwealth, Plato writes, 
" The original of our government was taken from the equality of our race. 
Other states there are, composed of different blood and unequal lines ; the 
consequence of this is tyrannical or oligarchical sway, under which men live 
in such a manner, as to esteem themselves partly lords and partly slaves. 
But we, being all born brethren of the same mother, do not look upon our- 
selves as standing in so hard a relation, as that of lords and slaves. The 
purity of our descent inclines us to keep up the purity of our laws, and to 
yield the precedency only to superior virtue." 

It seems manifest that most civil communities arose at first from the union 
of families, nearly allied in race and blood. And tliough ancient story makes 
frequent mention of Kings, yet it appears that most of them were such as 
had an influence in persuading rather than a power of commanding. So 
Justin describes the kind of government as the most ancient, which Aristotle 
styles, heroic ; wliich is no ways inconsistent with a democratic state. I am 
aware, Sir, that it will be said that in such reasoning, and remarks, we are 
holding forth the language of sedition, and rebellion against the powers that 
be. But we disclaim all such intention ; we hold ourselves loyal subjects 
of a government, which is itself regulated by the constitution and laws 
of the land. And it has been well said, that wliere the laws of the land 
are the measure, both of the sovereign's conmiands. and tlie people's obedience, 
the one cannot invade what by concessions and stipulations is granted to the 
other ; nor the other deprive them of their lawful and determined rights. 



100 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

The prince therefore, or inaj^istrate who strives to subvert tlie fundamental 
laws of the country, is in reality tlie traitor, and not the peojde, who endeavor 
to defend and preserve their own laws and liberties. 

It is most apparent, through the whole ministry of the world, that it is 
the duty of all public officers to administer according to the plain rules 
of the public state, and not by their own fancy, or wills. And so in this 
case, the cliief ruling officer is obliged to lead the government according to 
its plain and settled principles, and not to hesitate or vary to suit his own 
convenience or wishes. It is the saying of those who are skilled in the law, 
Rex in regno duo superiores liabet, Deum et Legem. The king has in his 
realm two superiors, God, and the Law. All the nobles and great ministers 
of the kingdom must look upon tlie law as the watchful eye of some dire di- 
vinity, restraining them from all deviations and violations. All Englishmen 
live and die by the law, — the law of their own making 

Tlie English government is a charter party, settled by mutual compact be- 
tween persons of all degrees in the nation, and no man must start from it but 
at his peril. Englishmen hate an arbitrary power, politically considered, as 
they hate the wicked one. Through immemorial ages they have been the 
owners of very fair enfranchisements, and liberties ; and the sense, favor, and 
high esteem of them, have been, as it were, extra ducem transmitted with the 
elemental materials of their essence, from generation to generation, and so 
ingenite and mixed with their frame, that no artifice, craft, or force, can root 
it out. Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret* 

And though many of their incautelous princes have endeavored to null all 
their charter rights and immunities, and aggrandize themselves in the serene 
state of the subjects, by setting up their own will for the great standard of 
government over the nation ; yet they have all along paid dear for their at- 
tempts, both in the injury of the nation, and in' interrupting the increase of 
their own grandeur, and their foreign settlements and conquests. On the 
first appearance of this monster. Tyranny, — upon the holding up of a finger, 
or upon the least signal given, — on goes the whole nation upon the Hydra. 
The very name of an arbitrary government, is ready to put Englishmen's 
blood into a fermentation. But when it actually comes in person, and shakes 
its whip over their ears, and tells them it is their master, it makes them stark 
mad ; and being of a mimical genius, and inclined to follow the court mode 
they turn arbitrary too. Some writers who have observed the governments, 
and humors of nations, thus distinguish the English. The king of Spain is 
the king of men. The king of France the king of asses ; and the king of 
England the king of devils ; for the English can never be bridled and rid by 
an arliritrary prince. 

We trust, sir, that in this province we shall prove true to the blood that 
flows in our veins ; true to our country, and to our God. We may have to 
suffer by refusing to pay this unconstitutional tax ; but we have a good God 

*You may drive out nature with violence, but she is sure to return. 



1634—1700.] TRIAL OF MR. WISE. 101 

anil a 2;ood kinc;, and shall do well to stand to onr privileo;es at all hazards. 
We shall sufier more by a servile compliance with so unjust a demand, than 
we can by a manly refusal. We shall in that case intlict a blow u])on our 
rights and liberties, which may prove mortal. In the alternative of slavery 
or death, freemen cannot hesitate. If we must fall, let it be by the hand of 
tyranny, and not by any act of our own. Let us die as martyrs in a glorious 
cause and not as guilty self-murderers. I doubt not. Sir, that when the vote 
is tried, we shall all be of one heart, and one mind, not to surrender our 
rights. In this way we shall obey Grod, and honor the king. 

As the above is cliiejiy in Mr. TFise's own words, the 
reader may consider it as a specimen of his mode of rea- 
soning, and style of writing on the great subject of civil 
and religious freedom. He was then thirty-six years of 
age, combining the fire of youth with the firmness and 
wisdom of manhood. 

TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT OF MR. WISE AND HIS 
FELLOW-CITIZENS. 

A report of Mr. Wise's doings, and of the action of the 
town was made to the Governor, and the consequence was 
that he, and five others, John Andrews, William Goodhue, 
Robert Kinsman, John Appleton, and Thomas . French, 
were arrested and committed to jail in Boston ; being de- 
nied the privilege of giving bonds for their appearance in 
court. They were all found guilty of contempt and high 
misdemeanor, and kept in prison twenty-one days longer, 
before sentence was passed. But we will let Mr. Wise tell 
the story in his own words : 

" We, John Wise, John Andrews, Sen., Robert Kinsman, William Good- 
hue, Jr., all of Ipswich, about the 22nd of August, 1687, were, with several 
principal inhabitants of Ipswich, met at Mr. John Appleton's and there dis- 
coursed and concluded, that it was not the town's duty in any way to assist 
that ill method of raising money without a general assembly, which was gen- 
erally intended by above said Sir Edmund, and his Council, as witness a late 
act issued out by them for such a purpose. The next day in a general town 
meeting of the inhabitants of Ipswich, we the above named J. Wise, J. An- 
drews, R. Kinsman, W. Goodhue with the rest of the town, there met, (none 
contradicting) and gave our as.sent to the vote then made. The ground of our 
trouble, our crime, was the copy transmitted to the Council, viz : ' At a legal 
town-meeting, August 23, assembled by virtue of an order from John Usher, 



102 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

Esq., for choosing a commissioner to join with the Selectmen to assess the in- 
habitants according to an act of His Excellency the Governor, and Council, 
for laying of rates. The town then considering that this act doth infringe 
their liberty, as free English subjects of His Majesty, by inteifering with the 
Statute Laws of the land, by which it was enacted, that no taxes should be 
levied upon the subjects without the consent of an Assembly, chosen by the free- 
holders for assessing of the same, they do therefore vote that they are not will- 
in«y to choose a commissioner for such an end, without said privilege, and, more- 
over, consent not, that the Selectmen do proceed to lay any such rate, until it be 
appointed by a General Assembly, concurring with Governor and Council.' 

" We, the complainants, with Mr. John Appleton and Thomas French, all 
of Ipswich, were brought to answer for the said vote out of our own county 
thirty or forty miles into Suliblk and in Boston, kept in jail for contempt and 
hio-h misdemeanor, as our mittimus specifies, and upon demand, denied the 
privilege of habeas corpus, and from prison overruled to answer at a Court 
of Oyer and Terminer in Boston. Our Judges were' Joseph Dudley of Rox- 
bury, Stoughton of Dorchester, John Usher of Boston, and Edward Ran- 
dolph. He that officiates as Clerk and Attorney in the case, is George 
Farwell. The Jurors only twelve, and most of them fas is said) non-free- 
holders of any land in the colony, some of them strangers and foreigners, 
gathered up (as we suppose) to serve the present turn. In our defence was 
pleaded the repeal of the Law of assessment upon the place ; also the Magna 
Charta of England, and the Statute Laws, that secure the subject's properties 
and estates, &c. To which was replied by one of the judges, the rest by 
.silence assenting, that we must not think the Laws of England follow us to 
the ends of the earth, or whither we went. And the same person (J. Wise 
abovesaid testifies) declared in open council, upon examination of said Wise, 
' Mr, Wise, you have no more privileges left you, than not to be sold as 
slaves,' and no man in Council contradicted. By such Laws our trial and 
trouble began and ended. Mr. Dudley, aforesaid Chief Judge, to close up 
a debate and trial, trims up a speech that pleased himself (as we suppose) 
more than the people. Among many other remarkable passages to this pur- 
pose, he bespeaks the jury's obedience, who (we suppose) were very well pre- 
inclined, viz : 'I am glad,' says he, ' there be so many worthy gentlemen of 
the jury so capable to do the king's service, and we expect a good verdict from 
you, seeing the matter hath been so sufficiently proved against the criminals.' 

" Note. — The evidence in the case, as to the substance of it, was, that we 
too boldly endeavored to persuade ourselves we were Englishmen and under 
privileges, and that we were, all six of us aforesaid, at the town-meeting of 
Ipswich aforesaid, and, as the witness supposed, we assented to the aforesaid 
vote, and, also, that John Wise made a speech at the same time, and said 
that we had a good God and a good King, and shbuld do well to stand to 
our privileges. 

" The jury return us all six guilty, being all involved in the same informa- 
tion. We were remanded from verdict to prison, and there kept one and 



lGU—1100.] EDUCATION. 103 

twenty days for judgment. There, with Mr. Dudley's approbation, as Judge 
Stougliton said, this sentence was passed, viz : John Wise suspended from 
the ministerial function, fine £50, pay cost, £1,000 bond; John Appleton, 
not to bear office, fine £50, pay cost, £1,000 bond ; John Andrews, not to 
bear office, fine £30, pay cost, £500 bond; Robert Kinsman, not to bear 
office, fine £20 pay cost, £500 bond ; William Goodhue, the same ; Thomas 
French, not to bear office, fine £15, pay cost, £500 bond. These bonds 
were for good behavior one year. We judge the total charges for one ease 
and trial under one single information, involving us six men, above said, in 
expense of time and moneys of us and our relations for our necessary succor 
and support, to amount to more, but no less, than £400, money. Too tedi- 
ous to illustrate more at this time, and so we conclude."* 

The town afterwards made up the loss which these per- 
sons had sustamed. After the expulsion of James from 
England and the introduction of William and Mary to the 
throne, Andros was put down by the people of Boston, and 
sent over to England. Before a new governor arrived, Mr. 
Wise and Nehemiah Jewett were chosen by Ipswich to 
meet in Boston with the representatives of the other 
towns to consult with the council about the jDublic affairs 
of the Colony. Sometime after, Mr. Wise brought an ac- 
tion against Chief Justice Dudley for denying him the priv- 
ileges of the haheas coryus act, and recovered damages. 

EDUCATION— THE EIRST SCHOOL. 

Our forefathers, it is well known to all acquainted with 
their history, were intelligent, and well educated men. 
They knew therefore how to appreciate the importance 
of a good education fof their children. But while in a 
wilderness, few and far between, and with scanty means 
of living, they could not build school-houses, and hire 
teachers, and if they could have done it, the dangers from 
wild beasts would have rendered it hazardous for their 
children to go, and come from school. As late as 1723, 
wolves were so abundant and so near the meeting-house 
that parents would not suffer their children to go and 
come from worship, without some grown person. The 
education of their children, however, was not neglected. 

*Tlie Ruvulutiun in New Englaial, justified : as quoted by Fell. 



104 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

They were taught at home to read, write, and cipher, and 
were instructed in the great principles of rehgion, and the 
principal laws of their country. And when in 1G42, it 
was found that some parents were not faithful in these 
and other duties to their children, the Selectmen of the 
town were directed, " To see that children neglected by 
their parents are learned to read, and understand the 
prmciples of religion, and the capital laws of this country, 
and are engaged in some proper employment." The same 
year the town voted that there should be a free school. 
•Cambridge College was established in 1638. A few years 
after this, aid was solicited from all the families to support 
charity scholars at this institution, that educated men might 
be raised up for rulers, physicians, and ministers. The 
representatives from the towns, and ministers in their 
several parishes, were desired by the General Court to 
use their influence, that each family give to the College 
at least one peck of corn, or a shilling in money. 

In 1651, a Latin school was begun in this town to pre- 
pare youth for entering College. And in about half a 
century, thirty-eight young men from Ipswich were grad- 
uated at Cambridge. Eleven of them became ministers 
of the gospel, three of them physicians, and the rest served 
in civil, or judicial capacities. 

Toward the latter part of this century, the inhabitants 
of this part of Ipswich began to think of establishing a 
free school among themselves. But such a thing could not 
be done without consultation, and general consent. A 
general meeting must therefore be held in the meeting- 
house, of all the voters in the parish to advise respecting 
it. The minister of the parish is present and a goodly 
number of the parishioners. Mr. Wise is, of course, ex- 
pected to address them on this subject, and we may sup- 
pose that in substance he spake as follows : 

" Brethren and Friends: We are met this afternoon to advise on a subject, 
wliicli I trust we all feel to be of vast importance to our cliildren, to our 
country, and to the church of Oud. 



1634—1700.] ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOOL. 105 

" What are children, what are men and women, without education*? Just 
like the savages that we see around us ? Of this we have been more or less 
convinced, and have long struggled under many difficulties, to give our chil- 
dren what schooling we could at home. But you know full well the tempta- 
tion to grow remiss in this duty under the pressure of very many domestic 
labors in the house and in the field. Besides your children, you well know, 
cannot make much progress in learning their lessons, amidst the many inter- 
ruptions of home. I see before me a few, a very few of our aged friends, 
who had their education in England. They will bear mc witness, that with 
all their care, and toil in teaching their children, they have not ])een able to 
do for tliem, what their fathers in England did for them. And is it not 
equally true that their sons, and their daughters have not done as much for 
their cliildren, as was done for them. And will not this downward progress 
inevitably continue, if we keep on in this way. The less schooling our chil- 
dren have, the less will they appreciate learning, and, of course, the less will 
they be likely to bestow upon their children. I know it is the opinion of 
some that you had better continue, in what they call the good old way ; that 
if you set up a school here, you will have to build a school-house, and pay 
the salary of a school-master, which will make your taxes a heavy burden ; 
that you have already taxes to pay, and some of you an annual rent for your 
farms, to support the Latin school in the body of the town ; that some of your 
children will have a long way to travel to school, and that yourselves, or your 
older sons will have to accompany them to keep off the wild beasts. But are 
these difficulties of any importance, compared with the proper education of 
your children 'i 

" You have, some of you, the same difficulties to encounter in coming here 
to worship God on the Sabbath, and on lecture day. But still you come, and 
those of you that are farthest off, are usually first at meeting. Where there 
is an object of sufficient importance, difficulties vanish. Rest assured, if you 
keep on in the old way, things will go from bad to worse. Already the num- 
ber among us that neglect the instruction of their children has begun alarm- 
ingly to in(yease, 

" There is no prospect, in my judgment, of effecting any reformation, and 
sccuriog the proper instruction of your children, but to have a school under 
the charge of a faithful master. Even if all parents were faithful in teaching 
their children at home, still their education would not be so complete, as if 
assembled together in school, and passing the whole day in school exercises. 
The presence of one, animates another, and the striving of some to excel in 
•well doing, stimulates others to tlie like effort ; so that a collection of children, 
well managed in a school, will, I venture to say, make dou])le the progress 
they would separately in tlieir houses, with the best care and attention. 

" I must, therefore, very earnestly exhort you to go forward in this good 
work, and s{)are no pains, nor expense, in giving your children a good edu- 
cation. You, and your fathers beff)re you, have done what you could to 
establish a granunar school, and a college, that you may have well educated 
W 



106 niSTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

ministeitg, and rulers. But of what use is it to have intelligent rulers, if 
the mass of the people are uneducated ? Ignorance is no friend to virtue, or 
to liberty. It is no friend to religion. The most inattentive hearers of the 
word, are usually those of the least education. If you would secure virtue, 
piety, liberty, and prosperity to your descendants, you must liberally patronize 
the cause of education." 

In this earnest manner, and with many other words, did 
he testify and exhort, saying, " Save your children from 
ignorance, infidehty and vice." 

Others present, expressed, their minds on the subject : 
a few doubtingly, and discouragingly ; but the most part 
with resokition and zeal, in favor of an onward course. 
The result was, the choice of a committee to hire a teacher, 
and provide suitable accommodations for a school. 

This committee made choice of Nathaniel Rust, Jr., who 
opened his school in June, 1695, and taught through the 
Summer with such acceptance, that the next Summer they 
invited him to settle with them, as their school teacher. 
This invitation he accepted, and taught here several years. 
The town gave six acres of pasture for the benefit of the 
school, and one quarter of an acre to Mr. Rust, to set his 
house on. The house which he then built, is the same, as 
to most of the timbers, with that now owned by William 
H. Mears. It was remodeled and enlarged about seventy- 
five years since. The school pasture was on the north and 
west, of Mr. Mears' land, and became merged in the old 
parsonage pasture. The school was probably taught in a 
room in Mr. Rust's house, as no school-house was built till 
the beginning of the next century. 

ROADS AND BRIDGES. 

As at the beginning, there was first a ferry for crossing the 
river near the dwelling of the late Adam Boyd, which contin- 
ued till 1666, and was then superseded by a horse-bridge,* 

*At a town meeting held February 6, 1671, " JohnBurnliam makes request to the 
town for some help from them toward making up the bridge over Chebacco Hiver, 
which was broken down by the storm. The town granted £10, of tlie £20, then due 
from Mr. William Cogswell." — Ipswich Toivn Records. 



1634—1700.] EOADS AND BRIDGES. 107 

SO toward the close of this century, there was first a ferry 
for crossing where the mills now are, and then in 1700, 
a bridge was built. There was, doubtless, when the ferry 
was in operation, some kind of a road over the m^arsh to 
Thompson's Island. But when the bridge was built, or 
soon after, the old causeway was probably built. The fer- 
riage at the lower ferry, was 2d. a passenger ; at the upper 
the same for a person, and 4d. for a horse. The road from 
Col. Choate's lane to the present bridge, was no doubt 
opened at an early period, and that gradually, as the con- 
venience of settlers required. It must have been com- 
pleted as early as 1668, when the ship-yard was laid out. 
In 1697, a road is ordered through John Cogswell, senior's, 
farm, (the school farm.) This is doubtless the present road 
from Thompson's Island to the lower causeway. 

1699. A road is to be made from Gloucester line to John 
Cogswell's upland. This was to meet the preceding road. 

1700. A bridge is to be built over Burnham's Creek, 
the same that was called Clark's Creek, to connect the two 
roads above mentioned. 

BOUNDARIES OF DEACON BURNHAM'S FARM. 

In 1694 a committee empowered by the town to settle 
disputes as to the boundaries of lands, met in this place. 
A report was spread, that Deacon Burnham had encroached 
on the commoner's land. But the committee, so far from 
finding this to be true, found that the bounds had never 
been determined, on that side of Deacon Burnham's farm ; 
which was the south-west side, near to the house of the 
late Elias Andrews, Sen. They, therefore, after due con- 
sideration, and consultation with the neighbors, and with 
Deacon Burnham's son John, to whom he referred the 
whole matter, determined, and settled the boundaries as in 
the following document : 

John Burnham's Deed, to he entered into Record, August 13, 1694. 

We the Committee Impowered to look after Incroacbments, and to Settle 

the bounds where they prove not Settled, being informed that Deacon John 



108 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 1. 

Burnham, Senr., had Incroacbed of the Town's Common Land, on the South- 
westerly thereof; between his Land and the New Pasture Land, so called. 
We having been upon the place formerly, and examined the matter, and 
finding the bounds uncertainly Settled, Discoursed with the said Deacon 
Burnham, be having committed all into the hands of his son, John Burnham, 
Consenting to what agi'cement should be made between him and us ; he the 
said John Burnham paying the charge of the Committee. 

We have thus settled his Bounds, beginning; at the head of the Creek, 
called Clark's Creek, near Joseph Andrews, his house, and run by the Instru- 
ment on the Course of 58 degrees eastwardly from the South, by the Circum- 
ferentor without variation, and marked by a white oke tree within the fence 
near the said Creek, and so, on that Course, Cross the field, to a small pine 
tree, on the brow of a hill within tlie Inclosed Land ; then further to a white 
oke tree on the hill without the fence, then a Small Walnut tree, then further 
on the same Course to a hollow oke Just by the Rode that Leads to Gloster, 
then further to a white oke tree within two rods of Gloster Line, and further 
to Gloster Line to a white oke, being a bound tree, marked with the markino; 
Iron. AD which said trees are marked for his bounds, he bordering all the 
way upon the New Pasture Land, from the said Creek onwards, about one 
hundred and twenty-five Rods to a white oke tree, marked for the corner of 
said Pasture Land, now belono-ing to Mr. John Cogswell, and the other two 
rods onward, bordering upon the land reserved by Ipswich men, Lying be- 
tween the land of the New Pasture and Gloster line, which said Bounds, as 
by the marked trees, we settle for his Bounds, and by Consent of the parties 
concerned, viz. Mr. John Cogswell for himself, and we in behalf of, and with 
the power of the inhabitants of Ipswich. To have and to hold the said 
Bounds, for his Bounds. 

DEATHS OF PROMINENT MEN. 

1694. November 5, died, Deacon John Burnham, the 
ancestor of the Burnhams in this place, and one of the 
first deacons of the church here. 

On the last month of this centurj^, December, 1700, 
William Cogswell, son of John Cogswell died, J^. 81. He 
had been a very active, and highly useful citizen in this 
place, and his death was much lamented. 



We have now reviewed the principal events and trans- 
actions relating to, our ancestors in this place, from their 
settlement here, to the close of the 17th century. We 
have seen something of their trials, and sufferings, their 



1634—1700.] WISDOM OF OUK ANCESTORS. 109 

energy and enterprise, their mode of living, and daily pur- 
suits ; their regard for the Bible and the Sabbath ; their 
love for the worship of God ; their obedience to his com- 
mands ; and their regard for the best welfare of all among 
them. 

If, in glancing at their civil regulations, we have been 
disposed to smile at some of them, as too particular, and 
interfering too much with the personal concerns, tastes and 
habits of private life, we must remember that they are 
not to be judged of, in these respects, by our modern views 
of civil, or national aflairs. In the infancy of their settle- 
ments, they more resembled one large family, with several 
branches on the same plantation, than a state or a nation. 
And in their flxmily state, their laws and regulations would, 
of course, resemble those, which are adopted in every well 
regulated family, rather than those, which are enacted by 
the government of a nation. Judged in this light, we see 
the wisdom as well as the benevolence, and watchful care, 
which marked all their social, civil, and ecclesiastical reg- 
ulations. One thing is certain that whatever fault we may 
find, as to the shape, and appearance of the tree, which 
they planted, or their manner of setting it in the ground, 
it has proved a healthy, long-lived tree, and borne the best 
of fruit. And is not the tree to be judged by its fruit? 
Shall we then be wise in cutting down this tree, and plant- 
ing*one of an opposite nature ? Shall we not do well to 
cherish the same principles of piety and virtue, which our 
fathers so warmly cherished, and follow in the same steps 
of sobriety, holiness and truth, in which they walked, if 
we would like them, hand down the blessings of a well 
regulated community to children's children ? Happy is 
that people, that is in such a case ; yea, happy is that peo- 
ple, whose God is the Lord. 



CHAPTER II. 

1700 — 1745. 
TO THE DIVISION OF CHEBACCO INTO TWO rARISHES, 

At the close of the seventeenth century, Chehacco Par- 
ish, in Ijjswich, contained a population of about three 
hundred souls, a church with a settled pastor, a school, 
and a military company.* A house of worship had been 
erected. Five saw-mills were in operation. A ship-yard 
had been laid out. Tliree bridges and two causeways had 
been built on the road from Ipswich Centre to Gloucester. 
The business of the place consisted chiefly of farming, 
fishing; and boat-buildino-. 

In the mother country. King William was still upon the 
throne. He lived, however, but a short period in the 
eighteenth century, expiring on the 8th of March, 1702 ; 
and was succeeded, on the same day, by Queen Anne. 

Dudley was the first Governor of Massachusetts ap- 
pointed after the opening of this century, Gov. Bellamont 
having died March 5th, and Lt. Gov. Stoughton, July 7th, 
1701. On Stough ton's death the executive office devolved 
for the first time upon the Council, a body consisting of 
twenty-nine members elected annually by the House of 
Representatives, and which corresponded to our Senate. 
Gov. Dudley arrived in 1702, and continued in- office four- 
teen years. His administration during all this period was 
odious to our fathers ; for though a native of Massachu- 
setts, he was an enemy to popular liberty ; and was, there- 
fore, opposed, in most of the acts of his government, by 
the representatives of the people. When he was Chief 

* " In 1683 Chebacco has 64 infantry besides troopers." 



1700—1745.] THE FIEST SCHOOL-HOUSE. Ill 

Justice, under Gov. Andros, he kept the minister of this 
place and some others from Ipswich in prison, in violation 
of the rights of Englishmen. We allude to these State 
affairs because they were matters in which our fathers in 
this town took a deep interest, and in which their rejDre- 
sentatives acted an important part, so that they were of 
course, exciting topics of conversation by their firesides. 
There were then but two parties in the colony : the roy- 
alists, and the friends of liberty. The great body of the 
people were on the latter side ; on the former, only the 
officers of the crown, and a few others, who sought their 
patronage. As a prerogative of the crown and its officers, 
Dudley insisted on a fixed and permanent salary. But 
neither the House of Representatives nor the Council would 
allow it, but granted him such a sum only from year to 
year as they thought best. Dudley, after a long contest, 
was compelled to submit. The people triumphed as they 
did also in similar contests with other royal Governors. 

1702. It appears from the following entry in the Parish 
Records that the first school-house was erected this year: 

" Whereas it was left to the Selectmen (of Chebacco) to appoint a place 
for the erecting a school-house in Chebacco, we, the subscribers, having duly 
considered the same, have appointed that the said house be built on the right 
hand of the way as you go from the Meeting-house to Dea. Thomas Low's, 
upon a handsome, rising, dry piece of ground, right opposite to Mr. Adam 
Cogswell's barn, which is accounted to be pretty near the centre of the place. 
Near by said place stands a shrubbed white oak. 

Natu. Rust, Jk., 

Benj. Marshall, 

John Choate, 

Nath. Goodhue, 

This school-house, therefore, stood on " the common," in 
front of the house now owned by William II. Mears, and 
continued to be used for school jDurposes till 1757, when it 
was sold, and a new one built. What its dimensions were, 
we arc not informed. It was doubtless small, designed to 
accommodate all the children in the place — about fifty 
in number. The school, which had been originally com- 
menced in this parish in June, 1G95, had been hitherto 



y Selectmen." 



112 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

kept in the private house of the teacher, Nathaniel Rust, 
Jr., (now Mr. Mears' dwelling-house.) The erection of this 
first school-house was, in that day, a great affair in the little 
community of our fathers, and excited, no doubt, great 
interest among them. In generations to come, it will be 
interesting to their posterity, as education advances, to 
trace it back to this small beginning. May they never 
have occasion to say that they are doing less in proportion 
to their numbers, and ability for the education of their 
children, than did their fathers in 1702. The privilege of 
six months' schooling was then given annually to every 
child and youth in the place, even at a time when, in ad- 
dition to other hardships, they were obliged to do their 
part in maintaining expensive and harassing wars with 
the French and Indians. Generally at that day the only 
books used in the schools were reading and spelling books. 
Arithmetic was taught by the master's writing the rules 
and examples in the scholars' manuscripts, to be wa^ought 
by them on the slate. As the parents had been required 
by law to instruct their children in the principal laws of 
the country, and in moral and religious truth, so the same 
was expected of their school-teacher. The school-masters 
at that time were chosen by the parish. Among the 
earliest whose names are known, were Samuel Phillips in 
1709, a graduate of Harvard College in. 1708, and after- 
wards pastor of the South Church in Andover ; and Wil- 
liam Giddings, in 1713. 

1703. It is a fact that may serve to show the compara- 
tive importance of Ipswich in the early settlement of the 
country, both in civil and military affairs, that it paid a 
higher County and State tax in 1703, than any other town 
in the County, Salem not excepted. 

Before the close of this year a French and Indian war 
broke out, which lasted through ten long years at the ex- 
pense of much blood and treasure. Ever}' fifth man, it 
was stated in a public document, w^as called into the mili- 
tary service. This Avar commenced with the attack of the 



1700—1745.] MR. WISE's HOUSE. 113 

Indians on Deerfielcl in the Connecticut valle3^ Three 
3^ears before, ninety men, of which this town furnished its 
quota, had been drawn from the Essex regiments to be 
stationed at Haverhill, Amesbury, Wells, and Kittery, to 
prevent surprise from the enemy. In 1704, Col. Church, 
known for his exploits in former wars, was sent to the 
province of Maine to operate against the enemy, with five 
hundred and sixty men. He proceeded to the Penobscot 
River, and there killed and took captive many Indians. 
He then went up the river St. Croix, and took the town of 
Menis. There were doubtless Several from this place in 
this, as in other expeditions. One-fifth of the men called 
out to war, would require ten or twelve from Chebacco to 
be more or less constantly absent from home. On the 18th 
of May, this year, a public Fast was observed "to pray," 
as the proclamation stated, "for her majesty, that her 
forces, and those of her allies, and of this Province may 
prevail, that the sea-coast, and inland frontiers be protected 
and that there be a plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit of 
God for a thorough reformation of all evils." 

About this time, as we learn from the parish record, Mr. 
Wise built for himself a house on the ten-acre lot, which 
the parish had bought and given him, at his ordination for 
a settlement. The old parsonage-house, it will be remem- 
bered, stood in the parsonage-lot, nearly opposite the resi- 
dence of Capt. Joseph Choate, at the north end of said lot. 
There Mr. Wise had lived for about twenty years, when 
he built this house on his own land, on the spot where the 
house of the late John Mears, Sen., now stands, fronting 
the same way, and, as tradition says, with the same yard 
before it. On enlarfjciufi- his cellar in 1844, Mr. Mears found 
a shoe-buckle brush, with the initials of Mr. Wise's name 
on the handle. It appears that before Mr. Wise built his 
house, the parish had engaged to build for him a new par- 
sonage ; and also to give Mrs. Wise £100, in case she 
should ])C left a widow in the parsonage-house ; as she 

would then be obliged to remove from it. But at a siil)- 
15 



114 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

sequent meeting, they offered their minister £50 if he 
woukl release them from these obHgations, and give bond 
to pay the parish £80, if he left them to settle over any 
other people. It stands on the record in these words with 
some abridgments : 

" May the 21, 1701.. It was then voted, that, provided the Rev. Mr. 
John Wise forgive us all the behindments relating to his salary until the be- 
ginning of this present year ; and also that he forgive us all the stone wall 
that the place is yet obliged to do about the pasture, and also doth acquit and 
discliarge us from all repairs of the parsonage-house, except shingling and 
groundselling and clapboarding; and also from a house this place was form- 
erly obliged to build for him ; and from the <£100 it was formerly voted to 
Mrs. Wise, provided she was left a widow, — it is voted that we will give to 
our minister, Mr. John Wise, the full sum of £50. He, the said Mr. John 
Wise shall give bonds," etc. 

This offer of the parish Mr. and Mrs. Wise accepted ; 
and in a few years after, he removed to his own house ; 
receiving during his life the rents of the old parsonage- 
house ; which, at his decease reverted to the parish. 

Let us visit the first minister in his new dwelling. The 
way is familiar but the scenery of olden time is new to us. 
Extensive forests confine our view chiefly to the road and 
adjacent fields. As we go from the Centre to the North 
End, we leave the new school-house on the common upon 
our left, Capt. Adam Cogswell's house and barn upon our 
right, and soon the meeting-house, also upon our right, and 
the old parsonage uj^on our left, and after a short distance 
farther, we come to the new j)arsonage, as it is called. 
Mrs. Wise receives us at the door, and entertains us with 
much hospitality. Mr. Wise is in his study. The younger 
children are at school, while her daughters in the kitchen 
are preparing the repast for noon. On inquiring for the 
welfare of her children, the good lady gives us the follow- 
ing particulars : Jeremiah, the eldest, was graduated at 
Harvard College about four years since. Having studied 
theology and been licensed to preach, he is settled in the 
ministry at Berwick in the Province of JMaine. Lucy was 
married, about a vear since, to the Rev. John White of 



1700—1745.] VISIT TO MR. WISE. 115 

Gloucester. Joseph is living in Boston. Ammi Rnlinnii, 
Henry and John are at school. The hour of dinner having 
come, Mr. Wise is called from his study, and we take our 
seat with him at the social board. Presently the boys 
come in from school, and are seated with us. 

" Well my boys," said the father, " what has Master Rust said to you to- 
day?" 

" After repeating our Catechism, he asked us who was the governor of the 
Province, and who was queen of England, and the name of her sister, tliat 
was queen before her. " 

" And could you tell?" inquired their father. 

" Yes," says one ; " T knew that Governor Dudley is our governor." 

" And I knew," said another " that Anne is our queen ; for I heard you 
speaking of her, the other day, and of her sister Mary as the wife of King 
William, and daughter of King James. But Master Rust is going to ask us 
more questions about it, and wants us to find out how James came to be a 
Catholic, and his daughters Protestants, and what the story is about Anne's 
running away from home, when Mary and her husband came to take away 
their father's throne." 

" Well, boys, I will tell you the story after dinner," added the father. 

Dinner being ended, we are invited into the study — the 
south-west corner chamber — that its occupant may have 
the most light and heat. The library before us is not ex- 
tensive, though sufficient to acquaint and enlarge the mind 
with a knowledge of history, philosophy, the ancient clas- 
sics, and especially theology. The Hebrew and Greek 
Scriptures, with their respective Lexicons, are upon the 
table for daily use. We notice Gurnel's "Armor of Light" 
by the side of Dalton's " County Justice," upon the shelf, 
showing that the pastor must have the law for civil ac- 
tion, as well as the gospel for spiritual direction. 

" Now for the story about King James and his daughters," says the father 
to the sons. " I will make it short, that you may remember and tell it to your 
teacher. The two l)rotl]ers, Charles and James, after their fatlier Charles 
the First was beheaded, were in exile with their mother in Papal countries, 
and were brought up Catholics. Charles, when he came to the throne of 
England after Cromwell's death, was secretly a Catholic. But he knew that 
he could not lie king of England without declaring himself a Protestant. He 
had no children to succeed him. His brother James, then Duke of York, 
would be his successor, if livins; at his death. But he seems to have thought 



116 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

that he should live as long as his brother, that the daughters of James would 
be his successors, and that it was as necessary that they should be educated 
Protestants as that he should declare himself one. So with his kingly power, 
he took his brother's daughters, Mary and Anne, and placed them in Protes- 
tant families, under Protestant teachers. But James outlived Charles ; and 
came to the throne a bigoted papist. This of course, could not be endured 
by Englishmen. Secretly a conspiracy was formed against him. William, 
Prince of Orange, who had married his daughter Mary, then at the head of 
the Dutch nation, was invited by the conspirators to come over to England, and 
take the throne with his wife, who was the next heir to the crown. William 
and Mary came, and after fighting several battles, James was obliged to flee 
from the country. Anne, who had married George, Prince of Denmark, was 
at home, when William and Mary landed on the western shores of England. 
Wishing to join her sister, she improved the opportunity of her father's absence, 
who was at Salisbury eighty miles distant, to escape privately. Lady Church- 
ill, her particular friend, communicated to some of the leading conspirators 
her wish to do so, and in a few hours everything was arranged. Accompanied 
by a friend and two female attendants, she stole down the back-stairs in a 
dressing-gown and slippers, at dead of night, and gained the street unchal- 
lenged. A hackney-coach was in waiting. Two men guarded the humble 
vehicle. One of them was the bishop of London, her old tutor. The car- 
riage drove to his house, where she was secreted for the night. The next day 
she joined the array of the insurgents. When James reached home and found 
that Anne had gone, he exclaimed in agony " God help me ! my own chil- 
dren have forsaken me." 

To this story our school-boys listened with the greatest 
eagerness, and will, no doubt, be able to give, their teacher 
the principal facts, if not all the particulars. As the chil- 
dren are retiring, the father expresses his satisfaction at 
the progress of education among us, — that we have now 
a school of six months for all the children in the place, 
taught by a faithful, industrious and well-qualified teacher. 
He alludes also, with much pleasure, to the fact that five 
3'oung men, have participated in the privileges of the 
Latin school in the town, have enjoyed the advantages 
and honors of Harvard University, and are pleasantly and 
usefully laboring in the ministry. We inquire of him his 
opinion of the late act of Queen Anne in declaring war 
against France. At this he expresses his deep regret, as 
involving us in all the horrors of another French and In- 
dian war. But we must trust in God, he says, and buckle 



1700—1745.] REV. FRANCIS GOODHUE. 117 

on the armor for self-defence. It is a day that calls for 
courage and bodily strength, as well as for faith and prayer. 
But hark ! Some one is. knockin^: at the door below. Mr. 
Wise is called down to see a stranger. We look from the 
window into the yard, and see that the stranger has tied 
his horse to a post within, and hear him say to our pastor, 
" Sir, my name is Chandler, of the town of Andover ; hear- 
ing that you were a famous wrestler, and having myself 
some success that way, having thrown all in our region, I 
have come all the way from Andover to take hold with 
you." " No objection to that," is the pleasant reply. They 
take hold in earnest, and after a few struggles, Mr. Chan- 
dler is laid upon his back. On rising, he is not satisfied, 
arid wishes for another trial. The result is that Mr. Wise 
not only lays him a second time upon his back, but gently 
puts him over the fence into the street. "And now," says 
Chandler, " if 3' ou will just throw my horse over after me, 
I will go along." With this amusing incident, we take 
leave for the present of the pastor s house. 

1705. The snow was so deep during the Winter that 
there was no moving about without snow-shoes, and what 
was very remarkable, horses had to wear them as well as 
men. 

1707. September 15th, Rev. Francis Goodhue, a native 
of this place, died at Rehoboth in Bristol County. 

" He was the successor in the ministry at Jamaica, L. I., of the Rev. John 
Hubbard, a native of Ipswich who graduated at Harvard College, 1695, set- 
tled over the Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, February, 1702, and died 
October 5, 1705, aged 28. Mr. Goodhue was settled the same year that Mr. 
Ilubljard died. He was a native of the same place and probably had been a 
companion of Hubbard in childhood, as he was but one year younger, and 
both pursued their studies preparatory to college in the Ipswich Grammar 
School. He was a son of Dea. William and Ilannali Goodhue, and was born 
in Chebacco Parish, Ipswich, Mass., October 4, 1078. His grandfather, 
William, was one of the most influential, and respectable men in the colony 
of Massachusetts, whose "many virtues" are said to have "conferred honor 
upon his name and family." Francis Goodhue graduated at Harvard in 
1G!)0, and was settled at Jamaica in 1705. At the close of the summer of 
1707, he went from that place on a journey to New England to visit his rel- 



118 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

ativcs, but dietl of fever on his way, at rtehoboth, IMasp., where he was buried. 
The ministry of Goodhue was short, but it was eminently useful in keeping 
the congregation together under its adverse circumstances. It is deeply af- 
fecting to contemplate the situation of the congregation called thus to mourn 
over tlie early graves of two ministers, who, having been pleasant and lovely 
in their lives, in death were not far divided. A literary friend has kindly 
furnished me with the following elegant lines on Mr. Goodhue, taken from the 
Boston News Letter of February 'IS, 1723 : 

" ' Libertas nomen ; bonitas conjuncta colori Cognomen pracbent; Insula 
Longa gregem. Nascitur Ipsvici ; dissolvitur inter eunduni ; Seconch^ lecto 
molliter ossa cubant. Doctrina, officium, pietas, adamata juventus, nil contra 
jussara eonvaluere neeem. Pars potior sedes proeedit adire beatas, gaudens 
placate semper adesse Deo.' 

" Which may be thus translated : 

"Liberty gives him a name (Francis;) good joined to hue, a surname; 
Long Island, a flock. Born at Ipswich, he dies whilst traveling. His bones 
softly repose in their bed at Seekonk. Learning, sacred office, piety, amiable 
youth could avail nothing against death decreed. The innnortal part enters 
into Paradise, rejoicing to be forever in the presence of God reconciled."* 

His library was brought home to his father. Two vol- 
umes of it — " Calvin's Institutes " and " Elton on Colos- 
sians," — printed in London in 1634, and containing his 
autograph, are now in the author's possession. 

1710. It was during this year that Mr. Wise wrote and 
published his treatise on the liberty and independence of 
the churches, under the quaint title, " The Churches' Quar- 
rel Espoused." The occasion of his putting forth the treat- 
ise was as follows : At the meeting of ministers in Boston 
on Election week. May, 1705, several questions were pro- 
posed and discussed relating to councils, and the best 
method of conducting the government and discipline of 
the Congregational churches ; and the consideration of 
them recommended to the several associated ministers in 
the different parts of the colonies. They adjourned, and 
met again in Boston on the same subject, in September 
following, and again in November,- and finally agreed on 
several " Proposals " to be printed and circulated among 
the churches. These proposals were sixteen in number, 

* " History of the Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, L. I., by J. M. MacDonald, 
pastor. 1847." 



1700—1745.] DEACON THOMAS LOW. 119 

iinder two general divisions ; the first eight respecting the 
action of associated ministers in licensing candidates for 
the ministry, determining when it was expedient for coun- 
cils to be called, and the propriety of each pastor submit- 
ting such cases of discipline as would be likely to produce 
any embroilments to the consideration and advice of his 
associated brethren, before proceeding to any action on 
them in his church. The second division of the proposals 
related to standing councils, to consist of associated minis- 
ters, and lay delegates from their respective churches, to 
meet at least once a year, and as much oftener as the 
association of ministers might determine. These proposals, 
however honestly intended for the good of the churches, ob- 
viously contain principles, which, if carried out, must tend 
to subvert their liberties. So it was considered by some 
in that day, and the danger thus threatening the churches 
drew from the pen of our first minister here a sharp and 
able reply ; which is still numbered among our standard 
works in ecclesiastical afiairs. 

This year, news arrives that William Cogswell of this 
place is killed by the Indians ; probably in some one of 
the frequent skirmishes that occurred in Maine. 

1712. April 12th, died, Dea. Thomas Low, aged 80. He 
left a widow, Martha, and seven children, Samuel, Jonathan, 
David, Martha Dodge, Joanna Dodge, Sarah and Abigail 
Goodhue. He was one of the deacons of the church here 
from its commencement to his decease. Besides the man- 
agement of an extensive farm, he entered largely into the 
business of making malt. He was a prominent man in 
the church, aiid for several years parish clerk. His will, 
made four years before his death, thus begins : 

" In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas Low, of Ipswich, in the county 
of Essex, in the Massachusetts Bay, Maltster, not knowing how soon it may 
please God Almighty to call me to my long home, and to the grave, the place 
ajtpointed for all the living ; therefore I make this to be my last Will and 
Testament. First of all I commit my immortal soul into the gracious hands 
of God, that gave it, and my hody to the grave, and a decent burial, in hope 
of a glorious resunectiou thiongh the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, my 



120 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

only Redeemer. And for what of worldly goods or estates it hath pleased 
God to bless me with in this life, I do hereby give and b(!queath to my be- 
loved wife and children, as hereafter followeth." 

The will is dated, " ITtli of June, 1708, in the seventh 
year of the reign of Queen Anne." 

Let us visit the house so recently deprived of its pos- 
sessor and head. Following the road to the bridge, we 
turn to the right through a gate, near the present dwell- 
ing of Abel Story, and traveling about sixty rods westerly, 
come to the mansion, so well known a hundred and fifty 
years ago, as Dea. Low's. There are some pleasant en- 
closures near the house ; but the trees are so thick we 
cannot see the river, and the cattle have their pasture in 
woods, but little thinned as yet by the axe. On entering 
the dwelling, we find the afflicted widow occupying " the 
new end'' of the house, which the Deacon had built but a 
few years before his death. Samuel, the oldest son, occu- 
pies the other part of the house, where he has lived since 
his marriage. His (Samuel's) family, especially the prat- 
tlino; babes, are a source of much comfort to the bereaved 
grandmother. We find her meekly submissive to the will 
of God, though heavily afflicted in the departure of one 
with whom she had lived in the conjugal state more than 
fifty years. She speaks of her loss in accents of sorrow, 
yet relieved and consoled with the hope of soon being 
with him in a brighter and better world. She dwells with 
fond recollection on his many virtues as a Christian hus- 
band and father, and particularly of his love to her ex- 
pressed in the ample provision which he had made for her 
in her widowed state. As she perceives by our looks that 
we desire her to go on, she enters into particulars, and 
states that he had left her the use of the new end, in 
which they had lived together the last few years of his 
life, with all their ancient furniture, and provisions more 
than enough for her use, consisting of two hundred weight 
of pork 3^early, with ten barrels of Winter apples, and all 
the Summer fruit she needed, two barrels of cider, six 



1700—1745. 



MALT-MAKING. 121 



bushels of malt, three of Indian corn, and one of wheat, 
besides ten shillings in money, fourteen pounds of wool 
and twelve of flax, wood for one fire, the milk of two 
cows, and a horse to ride at her pleasure and convenience, 
too'ether with the iJ-arden at the end of the house. 

As her husband was a maltster, she invites us out to see 
the establishment in a building near by, where the busi- 
ness is still carried on by her son Samuel. On entering, 
w^e notice many bags of barley lying on one side, ready 
to be made into malt. The kiln or oven is upon the 
ground before us. In a sort of chamber, seven feet above 
the oven, bars of wood are laid stretching from beam to 
beam, crossed by others laid on them, so as to form a lat- 
tice, over which is spread a hair cloth, eight or ten feet 
square. The barley is first washed, then spread upon this 
hair cloth to be dried. Small openings in the kiln be- 
neath are constantly sending up heat and smoke for the 
drying process. It is then cleansed by a sieve prepared 
for the purpose, and carried to a mill in the other end of 
the building, where it is ground, and comes out malt. 
The barley, when w^et, increases in size sufficiently to pay 
the maltster, by returning measure for measure. The 
whole presents a busy scene. Boys as well as men are 
employed. Some are washing the barley, and carrying it 
aloft for spreading. Others are removing what is dried, 
for the purpose of sifting and carrying it to the mill. 
Another is tending the fire beneath, and keeping the 
horse in motion in his never-ending circle ; and all to fur- 
nish a drink, which shall be both palatable and harmless. 
We learn, however, from the maltster, that the business 
is declining, since it is found that apples, even of the 
meanest kind, make a more exhilarating as well as cheaper 
drink, and that this branch of his business is increasing 
yearly, while the other is decreasing. From the malt- 
house we go to the cider-mill, and look in upon its oper- 
ations. Here is no, trouble of washing the materials. 
Heaps of apples lie upon the ground just as they were 



122 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Cii.vr. 2. 

taken from under the trees, crabbed, wormy and rotten. 
We retire from these manufactories of liquors, fully con- 
vinced by the teachings of experience, that the more 
"strong drink," the more thirst, and that health and morals 
can be secured only by entire abstinence from all that in- 
toxicates. 

This same year died Dea. William Goodhue, (or Capt. 
William Goodhue, as he was more generally called,) aged 
about seventy years. As captain of the militia in this 
place, he was no doubt often called upon to engage in 
excursions against the French and Indians. He filled, at 
several different periods, the office of selectman of the 
town, and of representative to the General Court. He 
was a leading man in the parish and church, and was 
highly respected, eminently useful and greatly beloved. 
It was stated in Chapter I. of this History, that he accom- 
panied Mr. Wise to the caucus held in the center of the 
town, to devise measures for resisting illegal taxation, and 
was imprisoned for so doing by Gov. Andros. This honor 
is given in Felt's History to William, his father, who re- 
sided in the center of the town. But the father was then 
more than seventy years of age, and had retired from 
public life ; while William, the son, was about forty-five 
years old, an intimate friend and near neighbor to Mr. 
Wise, and therefore most likely to accompany his minis- 
ter on such an expedition, (especially as it was unsafe in 
that day to travel alone.) Dea. Goodhue left a widow and 
six children, viz: Hannah Cogswell, Margery Giddings, 
Bethiah Marshall, Nathaniel, Joseph and John. 

1714, August 1. Queen Anne departed this life at noon, 
having reigned a little more than twelve years. Mr. Wise 
in his preface to " The Churches' Quarrel Espoused " thus 
eulogizes her while living : 

"My conclusion is with the devoutest application to the supreme throne, that 
the Almighty God will bless tlie great Anne, our wise and Protestant princess, 
New England's royal nurse, and the great beneftictress, that she may live to 
see all her Protestant churches, through her vast empire, more virtuous, and- 



1700—1745.] 



commoners' land. 123 



more united, and as they all meet and center, with their differing persuasions, 
l)y their love and loyal actions, in her person and government, let her most 
excellent majesty, next to Christ, continue absolute in her empire over their 
hearts, and as she has made such a complete conquest of all diflering parties 
within her dominions, by her wise and virtuous measures, and thereby won all 
the fame of rule and sovereignty from her royal progenitors, who could never 
so charm such mighty nations, let her reign continue the exactest model for 
all courts in Europe ! And when she is full, repleat and satisfied with length 
of days, and the most glorious effects of a prosperous reign, let God favor her 
lasting, and flourishing name with an unperishing monument, on which justice 
shall become obliged to inscribe this memento : ' Here lies in funeral pomp 
the princess of the earth, the store-house of all ennobling, and princely per- 
fections.'" 

On the same day that Queen Anne died, George, elector 
of Brunswick, is proclaimed king of Great Britain. After 
the news arrived here. Gov. Dudley issued his proclama- 
tion, September 17th, declaring George the First to be 
kino; of the Province ; and soon after retired. He was 
succeeded by Gov. Shute, the son of an eminent citizen 
in London, whose family were generally dissenters, or pu- 
ritans. In early . life he went into the army under King 
William, was made a captain and afterw^ards a colonel. 
He was esteemed at Court, had the character of a friend 
to liberty, and was of an open, generous and humane dis- 
position. He arrived in Boston, October 14, 171G ; was 
received with the usual parade. 

1716. COMMONERS' LAND. 

" At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the common and undivided 
lands in the town of Ipswich, the 27th of January, 1716," a committee was 
chosen to divide the common lands " into eight parts, lying each part as near 
as may be for the accommodation of such as lie nearest to it, and to have 
respect to quantity and quality." The committee in their report say, "In 
order hereunto we have measured the said commons, and find it to amount to 
7,335 acres, and we have divided it accordingly. " We laid out one-eighth 
convenient for the proprietors of Chebacco ; with a line beginning .twenty 
polls and an half to the Eastward of the Widow Choate's corner ; and run- 
ning Southwardly to a stake and heap of stones standing to the Northward of 
Chebacco pond ; and so from said stake on the same line to the pond. (The 
stake stands twenty perch and an half more Eastwardly than it did at first.) 
And to the East of this there are 1,084 acres, which we account 873 acres." 



124 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

1717. We find this year, for the first time, mention 
made of the existence of Slavery among us. From a bill 
of sale still extant, dated July 30, 1717, it appears that 
Joshua Norwood of Gloucester sold to Jonathan Burnham 
of Chebacco, for £64 in bills of credit, a negro boy whom 
he had bought of Thomas Choate of Hogg Island.* During 
most of the last century, slaves were held by our fathers in 
this and the neighboring towns, and in the colonies gen- 
erally. How shall we justify them in that which we now 
condemn ? While we have such exalted views of the in- 
tegrity and piety of our puritan ancestors, can we say that 
being slave-holders, they could not have been Christians ? 
But while compelled to admit, that it is possible for a slave- 
holder, who treats his slaves well, to be a Christian, we have 
in the case of our fathers some things to say in their behalf, 
as to the way in which they became slave-holders, and their 
conduct in reference to it. They did not send vessels to 
Africa to bring slaves to this country. They did not enter 
at all into the slave-trade, nor willingly give it any en- 
couragement. On the contrary, they remonstrated most 
loudly against it. All the slaves here were originally 
brought from Africa to this covmtry in English ships, and 
forced upon the colonies. " England," says Bancroft " stole 
from Africa, from 1700 to 1750, probably a million and 
a half of souls, of whom one-eighth were buried in the At- 
lantic, victims of the passage, and yet in England no gen- 
eral indignation rebuked the enormity. Massachusetts 
unremittingly opposed the introduction of slaves. In 1701 
the town of Boston instructed its representatives to put a 
period to negroes being slaves. In 1705, the General 
Court imposed a tax upon those who brought slaves into 
the market, of so much for every slave sold." All the 
colonies at the South, as well as the North, were always 
opposed to the African slave-trade. But England per- 

* This must have been Gov. Tho. Choate, so called ; as his son, Lieut. Thomas, would 
liave been but 24 years old in 1717, and the sale to Norwood might have been a con- 
siderable time before, thus making Lieut. Thomas, perhaps, a minor. 



1700—1745.] SLAVERY. ' 125 

sistecl in bringing them and landing tliem upon our shores. 
But why did our fathers buy them ? The only apparent 
reason is that of humanity or necessity. If they had not 
taken them into their families by purchase, they might 
have been left to jDerish in our streets, or subjected to all 
the horrors of another passage over the Atlantic to be 
sold to some other country. If they had been left unpro- 
vided for, upon our shores, they must have perished ; for 
they were as incapable of providing for themselves, as the 
most neglected and ignorant child. " The concurrent 
testimony of tradition," says Bancroft, "represents the 
negroes at their arrival to have been gross and stupid, 
having memory and physical strength, but undisciplined 
in the exercise of reason, and imagination." Their condi- 
tion, therefore, was at once improved as soon as they came 
into the possession of our fathers. They dwelt under the 
same roof; their wants were all cared for; they worked 
shoulder to shoulder with their masters in the field ; sat 
by the same fire with the children, were taken to church 
with them on the Sabbath, and instructed in the great 
truths of Christianity, and when our fathers were made 
free, they were made free with them. There is nothing 
in these facts to diminish aught of England's guilt in the 
enormities of the slave-trade ; but they certainly furnish 
some apology for our fathers in giving a home to those 
who were already bondmen. 

During this year Mr. Wise publishes another treatise, 
entitled " A Vindication of the Government of the New 
England Churches, Drawn from Antiquity, the Light of 
Nature, the Holy Scriptures, its Noble Nature, and from 
the Dignity which Divine Providence has put upon it." 
Two years before this, he received a written request from 
the ministers in Gloucester to print a new edition of his 
former treatise, couched in the following language : 

" Reverend Sir : We liave had tlie favor and satisftiction of readinc:, and 
according to our measure considering tlie transcendent logic, as well as gram- 
mar and rlietoric of your Ileply to the Proposals; by wbich our eyes aro 



126 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

opened to see much more than ever before we saw of the value and glory of 
our invaded privileges, and are of opinion that if your consent may he ob- 
tained to a new edition it may be of wonderful service to our churches, if God 
shall please to go forth with it. However it will be a testimony that all our 
watchmen were not asleep, nor the camp of Christ surprised and taken be- 
fore they had warning We are, &c., Samuel Moodey. 

John White. 
''Gloucester, March 25, 1715." 

Mr. Wise probably delayed complying with this request, 
till Ire had completed his second treatise, and then pub- 
lished them both together in one volume. Another edi- 
tion of them was published some years after, together 
with the Platform adopted by the churches in 1648, and 
the Confession of Faith in 1680. 

In the month of April, this year, much anxiety and 
alarm were felt by the people in this place, as on all the 
sea-board, on account of pirates cruising on our coast. 

1718. ERECTION OF THE SECOND HOUSE OF 
WORSHIP. 

This year a new house of worship was erected. Two 
years before, it had been voted at a Parish meeting — 

"That when there shall be a vote for building a new meeting-house in 
Chebacco, said house shall be erected upon the land lying on the easterly side 
of a white oak tree, on the right hand of the highway, beyond the school-house ; 
said tree being about thirty rods westerly of said school-house." 

A committee was chosen by the Parish — 

" To wait on Mr. Wise to see if he be willing that the new meeting-house 
shall be removed from the site of the old one so far as the pla^n by Moses 
Rust's, and he expose himself to come so far from the new parsonage to carry 
on the service of God's holy worship there." 

In October of the year preceding this, viz., 1717, it was 
voted to build a meeting-house fifty-two feet by forty-two, 
and twenty-one in height, and that it be erected the en- 
suing winter. The site first chosen was near where the 
pound now is. But afterward another spot was selected, 
and by much labor prepared for the new house. This was 
^in the rear of the house now owned by Henry Mears. 



1700—1745.] THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 127 

The road in that clay, in passing the corner from the North 
End to the Falls, was over the high land, westerly of its 
present course. Gravel was dug for the highway near 
the lower house now owned by Adam Boyd, in the rear 
of which, and near Mr. Boyd's upper house stood Mrs. 
Johannah Rust's house. The Record styles it, " The first 
knowle of land southerly from the gravel pit, which is on 
the front side of Mrs. Johannah Rust's dwelling-house." 
Forty-seven voters entered their names on the Parish 
Record in favor of this new location for the meeting-house. 
But in May, 1718, it was voted — 

" That, whereas, there was a place of late that has been in nomination, and 
also a considerable quantity of labor has been done by said inhabitants upon 
said place in order to level the same for the raising said house ; yet upon the 
urgent request of Mr. Wise, our Reverend Minister, that they would alter 
their designs concerning the same, and would be pleased to gratify his desire 
concerning said house, and raise it upon the plain spot of laud by Moses Rust's, 
•which formerly was voted by said inhabitants, for said service, and also, in 
viewing said plain and considering thereof, it is Ihe opinion of most of said 
inhabitants, that the latter is far more commodious than the former to accom- 
modate the erecting said house ; wherefore it was voted that our new meeting 
house .shall be raised upon the plane spot, agreeable to the former vote for 
setting the house there. The vote was further tried in the negative and no 
hand was held up." 

When it is considered that the question of locating a 
meeting-house has generally proved a very difficult one, 
and has often done more to divide and alienate from each 
other the members of a parish, than almost anything else, 
we must give credit to our fathers for a spirit of mutual 
forbearance and conciliation, in coming to a unanimous 
vote on such a vexed question. It was also voted at this 
meeting — 

" That the building committee, with the parish Clerk, shall take account of 
what people offer to do in raising the house, and also take care of such things 
as shall be given in, for the benefit of said work, and shall order and direct 
the workmen, upon the day of raising, to the several places of entertainment 
whereat people have promised to make provision for them." 

The house was accordingly raised and nearly completed 
that Summer. Liberty is granted to certain individuals 



128 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

that desire it, to build pews around the house, next to 
the walls. These pews had lattice-work on the sides of 
them near the top, as is recollected by some aged persons 
now livino;. The rest of the house is filled with seats on 
each side of the broad aisle. Galleries are erected on 
three sides of the house. The pulpit, with an hour-glass 
upon it, is on the west side, opposite to the front door. A 
door is at each end north and south. A turret is on the 
center of the roof, for the new bell, which has been re- 
cently purchased, the rope of which hangs down in the 
middle of the house below. The roof on the inside re- 
mains unfinished, the beams and rafters and ridge-pole be- 
ing all in sight. A short ladder is kept standing on a plat- 
form resting on the cross-beams, and reaching to the bell. 
After the dedication of the house, a committee is chosen 
" to dignify the seats and seat the people." This is a deli- 
cate and difficult task. There are certain rules, however, 
which, according to* the customs of the day, govern and 
direct in this matter. The highest seat in dignity is in the 
middle of the house. The rest grow less and less in dig- 
nity as they recede from this, whether toward the pulpit 
or toward the door. The men occupy the seats on the 
right of the broad aisle, as you enter the house, the wo- 
men those on the left. The women are seated according 
to the dignity of their husbands, or, if widows, according 
as the dignity of their husbands had been. Magistrates 
have the pre-eminence. Next to them come military offi- 
cers in their various grades, from the major-general down 
to the corporal. ResjDect is also shown to the aged, and 
to those who have done special service for the benefit of 
the parish, or who pay the largest sum for the support of 
the ministry. In all these cases, however, a suitable abate- 
ment is made if a man is known to be in debt ; he must 
take a lower seat in proportion to what he is owing. If 
w^e are disposed to object to this ancient custom, we must 
consider that it is in agreement with the public sentiment 
of the day. We must consider, too, that when the seats 



1700—1745.] NURSERIES OF CIVIL LIBERTY. 129 

are free, some system for assigning them to individuals 
and families, as their places of sitting from Sabbath to 
Sabbath, must be adopted by the parish, to preserve order 
and prevent confusion. Having removed to their new 
house, the old one (on Meeting-House Hill) in which our 
fathers had worshiped for nearly forty years, and in which 
they had held all their parish meetings, is left desolate, 
and soon after sold, pursuant to a vote of the parish. 

The site of the second house was near the Town Pound. 
Thus " the common " more than a hundred years ago, was 
occupied with a parish-church and school-house, leaving 
room besides for the regular military musters, and all the 
accompaniments of a training day. 

If we seem to make too much of these matters, it should 
be considered that they were the germ of the liberty and 
independence of our whole land. Our towns, and schools 
and churches were the birth-places and the nurseries of 
that liberty and equality, order and prosperity, which 
grew into manhood, and, in due time, threw off the 
shackles which our mother country imposed upon us. 

" In the settlements which grew up on the margin of the greenwood," says 
the historian Bancroft, " the plain meeting-house of the congregation for pub- 
lic worship was everywhere the central point. Near it stood the public school 
by the side of the very broad road, over which wheels did not pass, to do more 
than mark the path by ribbons in the sward. The snug farm houses, owned 
as freeholds, without quit-rents, were dotted along the way, and the village 
pastor among his people, enjoying the calm raptures of devotion, * appeared 
like such a little white flower as we see in the spring of the year, low and 
humble on the ground, standing peacefully and lovingly in the midst of the 
flowers round about ; all in like manner opening their bosoms to drink in the 
light of the sun.' In every hand was the Bible; every home was a house 
of pi-ayer ; in every village all had been taught ; many had comprehended 
a methodical theory of the divine purpose in creation, and of the destiny of 
man." Again he says : ''All New England was an aggregate of organized 
democracies. But the complete development of the institution was to be 
found in Connecticut and the Massachusetts Bay. There each township was 
also substantially a territorial parish ; the town was the religious congrega- 
tion ; the independent church was established by law ; the minister was 
elected by the people, who annually made grants for his support. There, 

too, the system of free schools was carried to great perfection, so that there 
17 



130 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

could not be found a person born in New England, unable to read and write. 
He that will understand the political character of New England in the 
eighteenth century, must study the constitution of its towns, its congregations, 
its schools, and its militia." 

1720. This year the Ipswich Grammar school was 
placed imder charge of a native of Chebacco — Henry 
Wise. Being a classical as well as English school, it had 
already afforded him the requisite preparatory training for 
college, when it was under the instruction of Mr. Daniel 
Rogers, a son of President Rogers of Harvard College. 
Of the fifteen students who were fitted for college by Mr. 
Rogers during the period in which the school was under 
his charge (1687-1715,) eight were from Chebacco, whose 
names were as follows : William Burnham, Benjamin 
Choate, Francis Cogswell, John Eveleth, Francis Goodhue, 
John Perkins, Henry Wise, and Jeremiah Wise. Mr. 
Perkins was a son Abraham Perkins, and a descendant of 
William Perkins, who emigrated to Ipswich about 1632. 
He was graduated in 1695, studied medicine, and first 
settled as a physician in Ipswich, but afterwards removed 
to Boston. He died in 1740. Mr. Cogswell was a son 
of Jonathan Cogswell, and a grandson of Dea. William 
Goodhue, from whom he received by bequest, the li- 
brary of his uncle. Rev. Francis Goodhue. He was grad- 
uated at Harvard in 1718. Henry Wise was a son of the 
minister. His connection with the Grammar school as 
a pupil closed in 1713, when he entered Harvard Col- 
lege. He was graduated in 1717. For nearly three years 
he resided in Boston, and was engaged in mercantile 
business. He then removed to the center of Ipswich, and 
on June 20, "at a meeting of the Selectmen, Mr. Henry 
Wise accepted the offer the Selectmen made him for keep- 
ing the school for the year ensuing. Accordingly the 
Selectmen delivered the key of the school-house, and he 
began to instruct the Grammar school." His salary was 
£55 in bills of credit. He continued to be the Preceptor 
of the school for eight years. It is not certainly known 



1700—1745.] THE SCHOOL-FAEM RENTS. 131 

when liis death occurred, but it was on or before the year 
1732. It was some time during this year,»also, that the 
tenants of the school-farm refused to pay their rents, on 
the ground that " no power had been given by the town 
to their Trustees, to appoint successors in that trust, for 
receiving and applying the rents, or of ordaining and di- 
recting the affiiirs of the school." The town, by their 
Selectmen, assumed the control of the school and its prop- 
erty. And the next year, (1721,) an action at law was 
brought against the tenants of the school-farm, which lin- 
gered until 1729, when the town "received £100 of Gifford 
Cogswell on account of charges at law about the school- 
farm." This sum the town very properly ordered to be 
distributed to the several parishes "to be used towards 
the support of reading and writing schools." Under this 
order, £20 were paid to the Chebacco Committee. 

1721. This year is memorable for the extensive spread, 
and great mortality of the small pox in Boston, and other 
towns ; and also for the introduction of inoculation to 
modify the disease, and render it less fatal. Dr. Cotton 
Mather, one of the principal ministers of Boston, becom- 
ing acquainted with the good effects of inoculation in 
some parts of the old world, earnestly recommended to 
the physicians of Boston, to make trial of it. They all 
refused, except Dr. Boylston, who, to show the confidence 
he had of success, began with his own children. This 
brought upon him great obloquy. The minds of most 
people were struck with horror at the thought of taking 
active measures to bring the disease upon any. The pas- 
tor of the church here, Mr. Wise, was among the very 
few who stood boldly forward, amidst strong prejudice 
and violent opposition, to advocate, and urge on, the rem- 
edy of inoculation. In this he showed his wonted inde- 
pendence of mind, and benevolence of heart. 

1722. Great difficulty and distress were experienced 
about this time, and onward, from the great quantity of 
Province Bills issued by our General Court. This reduced 



132 HISTOEY OF ESSEX.- [Chap. 2. 

the value of ciuTency, and consequently raised the price 
of labor and qf all articles of consumption. The deprecia- 
tion of the Province bills, however, arose, not only from 
their quantity, but from the want of confidence on the 
part of the people that they would ever be redeemed, ex- 
cept at a very great discount. The reasons for issuing 
these bills to so great an extent, were the great depres- 
sion of trade, and the heavy debts incurred by the French 
and Indian war. But instead of being a remedy, or any 
relief, they only increased the difficulties already existing, 
and a flood of evils was brought by them upon the whole 
community. It fell with more weight upon those who 
were living upon a stipulated sum for their services. The 
parish here had from time to time increased Mr. Wise's 
salary, but had not come up to the original value even 
when they had added forty pounds. On the motion to 
make up the full value, the vote was in the negative. 
Mr. Wise, therefore, entered a complaint against them, 
September 25, 1722, at the Court of the General Sessions 
of the peace, held in Newbury. The result was that the 
parish added fifty-five pounds to the original sum, thus 
increasing the salary to one hundred and fifteen pounds. 
This civil suit does not seem to have interrupted the good- 
will and harmony existing between pastor and peoj^le. 

WORSHIP IN THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 
Let us attend church on Sabbath morning with our an- 
cestors in their new house. As we stand in fi^ont of it, 
we see it to be a very plain edifice, without the ornament 
of paint or blinds, though having the advantage of being 
new and comparing well with the public buildings of that 
day in other places. The common has but few trees on 
it. A shrub oak is near the school-house. A tall and 
flourishing one spreads its lofty arms behind the church. 
The hills in the rear are covered with forest trees of an 
ancient growth. Only two or three houses are in sight, 
with small cultivated fields around them bordering upon 



1700—1745.] PUBLIC WOESHIP. 133 

thick woods. On our right, in the rear of the school- 
house, is the dwelling of the teacher, Moses Rust. On 
the opposite side of the road, is the barn of Capt. Adam 
Cogswell, and a little north of that, his house — the ancient 
dwelling of his father, William Cogswell, one of the primi- 
tive settlers. On our lefl, in an elevated position, stands 
the house of the widow Rust, and just south of that we 
see the cleared spot, which had been leveled and prepared 
for the meeting-house, but which our fathers abandoned 
for the more convenient location before us. Before enter- 
ing the church, sad news is spread from neighbor to neigh- 
bor which occasions many a sorrowful countenance. On 
the evening before, a fishing boat arrived, which had a 
narrow escape from pirates in the Bay ; and which saw 
them capture a Chebacco boat, and put several of their 
piratical crew on board to convey her with our captured 
men to a distant port. This is especially distressing to 
those who have fathers or husbands, sons or brothers at 
sea. The bell which calls us into the church, though new 
and larger than the one upon the old house, is yet small 
and shrill in its tones. As we enter the front door, the 
pulpit is opposite to us, and a body of long seats before 
us on each side of the broad aisle, while a tier of pews 
line the walls on each side. The galleries are spacious 
and well-filled. The view of so many aged men sitting 
together, whose heads are covered with red caps, some of 
worsted and some of velvet, attracts our attention. We 
know the Squire of the place from his' sitting at the- head 
of the most dignified seat. In the same seat with him 
are those who bear the various military titles. In the 
seats next to the pulpit are the children, that they may 
be the more easily watched and cared for. While the 
men with their sons are thus seated on the right of the 
broad aisle, according to their various dignities, their wives 
and daughters sit on the left side. The pulpit is lofty, 
with a high sounding-board. In front of it and joined to 
it is the elders' pew, and before that the deacons' seat. 



134 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

In looking up, our eye meets the ridge-pole, and naked 
beams and rafters. Swallows have already begun to make 
their nests there. A basin of water is in its accustomed 
place before the pulpit. Nearly all the children born 
in the place, — five and twenty or thirty annually — are 
brought in their infancy for baptism. Mr. Wise enters 
and takes his seat in the pulpit, and the bell stops tolling. 
His appearance is quite changed since we first saw him in 
the pulpit forty years since. His white locks indicate ad- 
vancing years. But though three-score and ten, his voice 
is yet firm and distinct. He commences the services of 
divine worship hy reading a psalm from the old collection 
of Tate and Brady. This, one of the deacons repeats line 
by line, and pitches the tune, that it may be sung by the 
whole congregation. Mr. Wise in his prayer is solemn 
and fervent. In words of adoration, thanksgiving, confes- 
sion and supplication he expresses the devotion and the 
desires of the worshiping assembly. He intercedes also 
for others, not forgetting the rulers of the land, the gov- 
ernor and council, and the representatives of the people, 
the king in the father-land, with the Parliament and all in 
authority. He remembers all that are in danger, in perils 
by land, in perils by sea, and prays especially for the deliv- 
erance of those neighbors and friends, that had fallen into 
the hands of pirates. " Great God," he fervently cries, 
" if there is no other way, may they rise and butcher their 
enemies ; " — an expression long remembered, because the 
event showed that on that morning they rose upon the 
pirates and slew them, and thereby safely reached home. 
After another sino-ino; the sermon is delivered. Though 
not written, it has been well studied, for it is connected, 
instructive and impressive. As he occasionally holds up 
his notes, we see that they are written on a mere scrap of 
paper, a few inches square, containing in brief only the 
heads of the discourse, and a few leading thoughts. After 
sermon, an infant is brought forward for baptism. Its 
name is Aaron Foster. We look with deep interest upon 



1700—1745.] AARON FOSTER. 135 

this infant face, for as we are spirits from a later age, we 
can tell, without the gift of prophecy, what manner of 
child this shall be. We can follow him through his child- 
hood and youth, and see him rise into manhood. We see 
him a young soldier in the combined army at the taking 
of Louisburg. We behold him traversing the ocean, as the 
captain of a vessel. We follow him into the Revolution- 
ary army, fighting the battles of his country for liberty. 
We see him after the war at the head of a numerous fam- 
ily, and find him still living in the nineteenth century. 
And after his departure from life, we see at his funeral, not 
only children, but a retinue of grandchildren, growing up 
to respectability and usefulness, among whom we recog- 
nize Moses Foster of Wenham, Thomas Foster, and David 
Choate of this place, and Rufus Choate of Boston. But 
our thoughts have suddenly run down to a late day. We 
recall them to witness the baptismal service; after which 
a prayer is offered, and the assembly dismissed by the 
apostolic benediction. As we retire we almost uncon- 
sciously reflect on the vanishing nature of earthly scenes. 
How changed the congregation to-day, from that which 
we saw in the old house forty years before, almost a whole 
generation having passed away. The pastor remains, but 
the deacons have gone, and with them all that were then 
aged ; and the young then that have escaped the stroke 
of death, are now in the seats of the old. 

1725, March 29, The parish assemble in the meeting- 
house at nine o'clock, a. m., to see what measures they will 
take to procure a preacher ; as Mr. Wise, by reason of sick- 
ness, is unable to preach. They make choice of Theophi- 
lus Pickering, a young man recently licensed to preach, to 
supply the pulpit for four Sabbaths, and choose Capt. Jona- 
than Cogswell to go to Salem and invite him to come. They 
also vote that if he come he shall board at Capt. Cogswell's 
which is near the church. At this meeting, also, they di- 
rect the trustees of the Parish to build a Pound. This is 
doubtless the same that is now in use. In compliance with 



136 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

their request, Mr. Pickerini^ Ccame and supplied the pulpit. 
Mr. Wise lived only ten days after this, expiring on the 
8th day of April. At the decease of Mr. Wise, the old par- 
sonage, and the parish land reverted to the use of the par- 
ish, and they chose a committee to let the same for such 
rents as they should judge proper. They also voted £30 
to defray the expenses of Mr. Wise's funeral. It was the 
custom at that time, at the funeral of one who had been in 
public life, or otherwise distinguished, to present gold rings 
and gloves to the bearers, and other distinguished persons 
present, besides making a general entertainment, in which 
alcoholic drinks were freely dispensed according to the cus- 
tom of the day. This accounts for the fact that a hundred 
dollars should be expended at the funeral of a minister, in- 
cluding also, however, the monument for his grave, Mr. 
Wise was buried from the new meeting-house, where for 
the last seven years of his life he had preached on the Sab- 
bath, and on Thursdays, the weekly lecture. How solemn 
the scene, to behold the venerable form whic-h a Sabbath 
or two before had appeared in the pulpit in all the vigor 
and activity of life, now lying in his coffin below, a pale, 
breathless corpse. The house is filled, and every counte- 
nance is solemn and sad. The funeral sermon is preached 
by Rev. John White, pastor of the first church in Glouces- 
ter, from II. Cor. iv. 7, first clause. Under the '■•Impi^ove- 
7nent " of the discourse, the preacher remarks : 

" Fourth and lastly : Let us be duly affected and humbled when these 
earthen vessels are broken to pieces, and can hold this treasure no more. 
'Tis not to be so much wondered at, as lamented when earthen vessels are 
dissolved. They are frail and infirm, and liable to many disasters. And 
the more capacious and serviceable any such vessel was, the more reason we 
have, to lay their dissolution to heart. On this sad occasion, God is calling 
you in this Precinct to bitter mourning ; and to lament with the church of 
old, (Lam. v. 16.,) ' The crown is fallen from our head : Woe unto us that we 
have sinned.' And I would heartily mourn with you. The very late de- 
cease of your reverend, aged, and faithful pastor has made a deep wound, 
and wide breach. Your loss is great. Infinite Wisdom furnished, and suited 
him for you ; and Infinite Love gave him to you, and continued him even to 
old age among you ; and the Sovereign God has taken him from you. I 



1700—1745.] FUNEEAL SERMON. 137 

dare not presume (nor will the time allow me) to attempt to give you the 
character of the venerable Mr. Wise. He that would do it to the life must 
have his eloquence. Such as knew him best had the most honorable opinion 
of hira and reverend respect for him. His kind, condescending, and most 
generous, and obliging carriage has often brought to remembrance, what is 
said of Titus Vespasianus, the Roman Emperor, viz., that no man ever went 
out of his presence sorrowful. And some who had viewed him at a distance 
through a false glass, when they have visited him, and familiarly conversed 
with him, have been charmed, and even ravished. They have beheld majesty 
mixed with aflfability, gravity with facetiousness, charity with severity ; charity 
to the persons, and severity to the opinions of his antagonists. However he 
might be thought of, or represented by some,«he had a high value and vener- 
ation for men of his character and order : and this was his language, living 
and dying, which he uttered to those about him on his death-bed, viz., I would 
have you pay a special veneration to your ministers. They are your great in- 
terest. Magistrates indeed preserve your lives and estates ; but your ministers' 
business is to save your souls. Wherefore esteem them highly for their work's 
sake ; and cultivate this spirit and principle into your children. He was zeal- 
ously affected towards his country and the civil and sacred liberties and privi- 
leges of his country ; and was willing to sacrifice anything but a good conscience 
to secure and defend them. And the thing he had most at heart was the well- 
being of the churches ; and no risks were too great to run, no pains too great to 
take, to defend and confirm the order and established Constitution, or promote 
the purity and peace of the same. And when by reason of bodily infirmities the 
nearest and dearest relation would not draw him from home, the service of the 
churches would. And this was \ns Jinishing work. The success of these, his 
travels and labors, was to admiration. And some cases were attended with diffi- 
culties to an ordinary conduct and courage insuperable. I need not say to you, 
who were witnesses of these things, how prayer and patience carried him through 
all. He told me in the beginning of his sickness that he had been a man of 
contention, but the state of the churches making it necessary, upon the most 
serious review, he could say he had fought a good fight, and had comfort in re- 
flecting upon the same. He was conscious to himself of his acting therein sin- 
cerely. At the same time he expressed his nothingness, and unworthiness : 
and as he needed the divine compassion and mercy, so he entirely depended 
upon, and earnestly prayed for the free grace of God in Christ. Can I do less 
than say (on this mournful occasion) as the surprised and inspired prophet 
Elisha, when he beheld the prophet Elijah ascend in a chariot of fire : " My 
Father, my Father, the Chariot of Israel and the Horsemen thereof."* 

* " The Gospel Treasure in Earthen Vessels. A Funeral Sermon on the mournful 
occasion of the Death of that Faithful Servant of God, the Reverend Mr. Joim 
Wise, Pastor of the Second Church in Ipswich. Preached to his Flock on the 11th 
day of April, 1725. By John White, A. M., Pastor of the First Church in Glouces- 
ter. Zech. i. 5. Boston. Printed for N. Boone, Cornhill, 1725." A copy of this 
sermon is now in the library of the Salem Athenseum. 
IB 



138 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

We see in the procession, as it moves in slow and solemn 
pace from the church to the grave-yard, the bereaved 
widow and children and grandchildren, with other rela- 
tives, and the officers and members of the church, and of 
the parish, with many strangers. The bearers or pall- 
holders were all ministers, who wore white leather gloves 
— the badge of mourning common in that day, and pre- 
sented to them on this occasion by the parish. Mr. Wise's 
remains were interred near the centre of the grave-yard, 
and soon afterwards the mound was covered with a slab 
containing the following inscription : 

UNDERNEATH LIES THE BODY OF THE 

REV. JOHN WISE, A. M. 

FIRST PASTOR OF THE 2D CHURCH IN IPSWICH. 

Graduated at Harvard College, 1673. 
, Ordained Pastor of said Church, 1681. 

And died April 8, 1725, 
Aged 73. 

FOR TALENTS, PIETY AND LEARNING, 

HE SHONE AS A STAR OF THE 

FIRST MAGNITUDE. 

In 1815 the slab was elevated upon four granite pillars, 
and a copy of this inscription cut in slate, inserted in 
place of the original which had been broken. 

By his will it appears that Mr. Wise left a widow and 
seven children. To three of his sons, Jeremiah, Henry, 
and Joseph, he had given a collegiate education. To John 
the youngest, he bequeathed his real estate — a house, barn, 
and ten acres of land — out of which Mrs. Wise was to have 
her maintenance. She, however, deceased October 18th 
of the same year. To the other children he left a thou- 
sand dollars to be divided equally among them. His 
library was to be divided between Jeremiah and Henry, 
with the exception of the following books bequeathed to 
John : GurneVs Armor of Light, Dalton's County Justice, 
and Speed's Chronicles of England. 

Three deacons of his church had deceased during Mr. 
Wise's ministry : John Burnham, November 5th, 1G94, 



1700— 1745.J MR. WISE'S CHAPLAINCY. 139 

Thomas Low, April 12th, 1712, aged 80, William Good- 
hue, 1712. The number of church members at the time 
of his decease was 91. One of the vessels of the com- 
munion service purchased during his ministry, is still in 
the possession and use of the church. It is a cup, marked 
"(7. Cr (Chebacco Church,) "1712." 

The principal events in the life of Mr. Wise have been 
already noticed. In addition to these, it is of some inter- 
est to know that his labors as a minister were not limited 
wholly to this parish. Before coming to Chebacco, he had 
preached a year at Northampton, and had a call to settle 
there. On the 6th of July, 1690, he was appointed by 
the General Court, chaplain in an expedition which had 
just been planned against Canada. The occasion of this 
expedition was the fact that on the breaking out of a war 
between England and France the previous year, the-offer 
of colonial neutrality had been rejected by England; that 
parties of French and Indians had attacked and destroyed 
Schenectady, Salmon Falls, Casco, and other frontier settle- 
ments, and that French privateers from Nova Scotia were 
infesting the coasts of New England. The provinces there- 
fore formed the bold and hazardous design of reducing 
Canada to subjection to the crown of England, as the only 
means of securing their own permanent peace and safety. 
Accordingly, on the 9th of August, a force of thirty ves- 
sels, and about two thousand troops sailed from Boston, 
under command of Sir William Phips, and arrived at the 
Isle of Orleans, four miles below Quebec, on the 5th of 
October, having been retarded by unavoidable accidents. 
But the troops from Connecticut and New York, who were 
to march from Albany on Montreal, and prevent Count 
Frontenac from re-enforcing Quebec, did not succeed in 
reaching their destination. The garrison at Quebec was, 
therefore, so much increased in numbers, its fortifications 
so much strengthened, before the arrival of Phips and his 
little army, that the expedition was entirely unsuccessful. 
After two attacks upon the town the assailants withdrew, 



140 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

and re-embarking, reached Boston November 19tli. It is 
recorded of Mr, Wise that he distinguished himself in this 
expedition by his heroic spirit and martial skill, as well 
as by the faithful discharge of the sacred duties that more 
immediately devolved upon him. His services to his coun- 
try in the army, as well as his sufferings in prison at an 
earlier period, show that his zeal for her cause was pure, 
intense, and unceasing. And from all his public career, 
we are assured that he was a great and good man. Every 
good work of every kind, he favored and encouraged.* 

His w^ritings furnish abundant proof that he was an 
original thinker, a close reasoner, a profound scholar, an 
energetic writer, aiming not to display himself, but to un- 
fold and inculcate his subject.! As a preacher, he was in- 
structive, impressive, and persuasive. His ministry was 
eminently successful. Not less than two hundred hopeful 
converts, as is inferred from a comparison of facts, were 
added to the church during his pastorate. Testimony to 
the excellence of his character is found in the standard 
works on the lives of our Puritan fathers. The printed 
copy of the sermon at his funeral, which has been already 
quoted, also contains what is entitled, "A character of the 
Reverend Mr. John Wise, by another hand : " 

" On the 8th of April, died at Ipswich the Rev. Mr. J. Wise, the worthy 
Pastor of the church of Chebacco, and on the 11th, was decently buried amidst 
the honors, and lamentations of his distressed friends, and of his loving and 
generous flock, and at their expense. Nor would they be satisfied without his 
Interment with them. Who being their Glory while among the living, even 
Jiis lifeless body might be an ornament in the Dormitory of the Dead. He 
was a gentleman of such uncommon merit, that it is no easy task to do 
justice to his character, and pay a suitable deference to the honor of his mem- 

* 1720, Thomas Symmes, having issued his dialogue to promote the revival of 
singing by note more extensively, remarks in it, " I received a letter from Mr. Wise 
of Ipswich, wherein he gave it as his judgment that when there were a sufficient 
number in a congregation to carry away a time roundly, it was then proper to in- 
troduce that tune." 

+ From the numerous allusions and quotations in his works, it is plain that his 
library must have contained the best of the Greek and Roman classics, and works 
upon Greek, Roman, Ecclesiastical, and English History ; and that he must have 
been as thoroughly conversant with ancient literature and philosophy, as with 
Christian theology and Biblical science. 



1700—1745.] SETTLEMENT OF MR. PICKEEING. 141 

ory. He was richly adorned with the beauties of Nature and Grace, and 
brightly polished with the Ornaments of the best Erudition. The graceful 
structure of his manly body, majestic aspect, aud sweet deportment, were but 
an emblem of the mighty Genius, and brighter excellencies of his superior 
soul. He had a strong and elevated Fancy, solid Wisdom, steady Fortitude, 
great Generosity, Courtesie, and Integrity ; and above all a zealous Piety, 
and liberal Charity, which nobly furnished him for the great services that 
Providence designed him for, and employed him in, and were so many gems 
in the crown of honor, that shone upon his hoary head to the close of his life, 
and ever commanded the love, and veneration of all about him. He was a 
great Divine, and an able Minister of the New Testament, and had a pe- 
culiar Talent for composing Church controversies, and Ecclesiastical ditficul- 
ties, and was happy in a constant success in it. He was a learned scholar, 
and an eloquent Orator, as his excellent writings and discourses testify. He 
was of a generous and publick spirit, a great lover of his country, and our 
happy Constitution ; a studious assertor, and faithful defender of its liberties 
and interests. He gave singular proof of this at a time when our Liberties, 
and all things were in danger. And with undaunted courage he withstood 
the bold invasions that were made upon us. He was next called (in his own 
order) to accompany our forces in an unhappy expedition, where not only the 
pious discharge of his sacred office, but his heroic spirit, and martial skill, 
and wisdom, did greatly distinguish him. A third remarkable was his appear- 
ing in defense of our Church Constitution both by his valuable writings, and 
observable actions, and when great dissensions arose in some churches, and 
difficulties thereupon, (though to others insuperable,) yet his wise counsels, 
forcible arguments, irresistible eloquence, inimitable zeal, courage, candor, 
and diligence did so happily succeed, as to accommodate all things, and pro- 
cure and establish the Peace, and Order of the Churches wherever he was 
called. And upon the whole, justice and gratitude both oblige us to give 
him the Title of a Patron of his Country and a Father in Israel, and to join 
with an eminent minister in his publick mention of him, that he was our 
Elijah, the Chariot of Israel, and the Horsemen thereof, our Glory and 
Defense." 

The precise time when the church and parish gave a 
call to Mr. Pickering to become their pastor, cannot now 
be ascertained. He accepted their invitation, however, 
on condition that the salary they had proposed to give 
him. should be increased, giving his reasons for this in the 
following language : 

" Whereas our Lord .Tesus has required of his people a suitable support for 
his ministers, as yourselves know and believe, and whereas it nearly concerns 
every minister upon settlement to see to it that he has a convenient mainte- 



142 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

nance, and as far as may be to prevent any after difficulties that migbt be 
prejudicial to the peace of the place and success of the ministry, I have, 
therefore, after due deliberation, thought it best that I should freely offer my 
thoughts unto you referring to this head of maintenance. We all know that 
a minister cannot live creditably without considerable expenses, and we also 
know that what was wont to be a middling salary formerly, in a moderate 
value, is equivalent to £150 or £160 in our paper money. Indeed such a 
sum makes a great sound in a man's ears ; but ordinarily men don't seriously 
consider (unless it be in case of their own interest,) how our Province bills 
are depreciated, nor how the price of goods and provisions rises, and for this 
reason salary men in many towns almost suffer for want. For my own part 
I cannot (and I think I ought not) be contented unless I have wherewithal 
conveniently to answer my duties and necessities, and to furnish me with 
such helps and advantages as whereby I might be enabled in my best manner 
to serve your true interests and maintain the character of a minister as it 
should be ; which to be sure will not be displeasing to any of you, for I am 
confident it would not offend you to have your minister a credit to you." 

With these views the parish harmoniously concurred, 
and the result was that they agreed to give him the use 
of all the parsonage lands, they keeping the fences in 
repair, and £120 annually in semi-annual payments, to 
be increased or diminished in proportion to the value of 
money (silver) at 8s. per ounce troy-weight; and the 
avails of the customary contribution taken on the Sabbath. 
For a settlement, they agreed to give him the buildings 
on the old parsonage, and £100 toward building a house 
for himself. The house which he built and lived in during 
his ministry, was the one subsequently owned by the late 
Mrs. Mary Choate. The commoners also gave him the 
common land north of the meeting-house, being about 
three-fourths of an acre. The terms of settlement were 
agreed on in July, but the ordination was deferred to a 
season less busy for farmers. Accordingly on the 23d of 
October following, with the, usual solemnities and interest- 
ing services, he was ordained in the new meeting-house to 
the work of the gospel ministry in this place. 

1726. While occupied with the affairs of the parish, 
we would not forget that our fathers are still citizens of 
Ipswich. To the body of the town they go for the trans- 



1700—1745.] EARTHQUAKE. 143 

action of all town aifairs. Once a year, in the month of 
March, the legal voters are expected to assemble in the first 
parish meeting-house for the choice of town officers and 
other business, and in April, annually for the election of 
Province officers. All intending marriage go to the centre 
for certificates of publishment. Families needing a phy- 
sician must send five miles for him. The poor are pro- 
vided for in the body of the town, where is the alms-house 
upon the common, built of logs, forty feet long, sixteen 
wide, and six high. The tenants of the school farm on 
the south side of the river still carry to the centre their 
annual rent of £14 for the support of the Grammar school. 
The Indians have nearly all disappeared ; but the wild 
beasts still inhabit the woods and set up their nightly howl. 
With the closing of this year ends the first Record book, 
which contains the transactions of the parish for the first 
fifty years, including those connected with its origin. 

1727. This year there was experienced in this place, 
in common with others, a great earthquake, ft occurred 
on the 29th of October. About forty minutes after ten 
at night, when there w^as a serene sky, and calm but sharp 
air, a most amazing noise was heard, like to the roaring 
of a chimney when on fire, as some said, only beyond all 
comparison greater. Others compared it to the noise of 
coaches upon pavements, and thought that the noise of 
ten thousand together would not have exceeded it. The 
noise was judged by some to continue about half a minute 
before the shock began, which increased gradually, and 
was thought to have continued for the space of a minute, 
before it was at the height, and in about half a minute 
more, to have been at an end, by a gradual decrease. The 
noise and shock of this, and of all earthquakes which pre- 
ceded it in New England, were observed to come from the 
West and go off to the East. At Newbury and other 
towns on the Merrimack, the shock was greater than in 
any other part of the State. No buildings were thrown 
do\vn, but parts of the walls of several cellars fell in and 



144 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

the tops of many chimneys were shaken off. The earth 
burst open in several places, and more than a hundred 
cart loads of earth were thrown out. The seamen upon 
the coast supposed their vessels to have struck on a shoal 
of loose ballast. More gentle shocks were frequently felt 
for some months after. " There have seldom passed above 
fifteen or twenty years without an earthquake, but there 
had been none very violent within the memory of any 
then living. There was a general apprehension of danger, 
of destruction, and death ; and many who had very little 
sense of religion before, appeared to be very serious and 
devout penitents. But too generally as the fears of an- 
other earthquake went off, the religious impressions went 
off with them." * In this place the earthquake was followed 
by a powerful revival of religion, in which many gave 
evidence of having become new creatures in Christ. The 
number of church members at Mr. Pickering's ordination 
was ninety-one. It was soon increased to one hundred 
and sevenf5y-seven, seventy-six of whom were added to 
the church as the fruits of this revival. 

Upon the death of George I., this year, his son, George 
II., ascended the throne of England. To our fathers the 
death of one sovereign and the accession of another were 
events of the deepest interest, since the appointment of 
their governor depended on the pleasure of the crown, 
and the whole aspect of their political affairs took its hue 
from the royal countenance. On the accession of George 
II., Burnet, a son of the bishop of Salisbury, who was at 
this time governor of New Jersey and New York, was ap- 
pointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 
Gov. Shute had returned to England three years before 
this, with many and bitter complaints against Massachu- 
setts, as not sufficiently loyal, and too much inclined to 
independence. The consequence was that Massachusetts 
was obliged to accept an explanatory charter, which con- 
firmed the right of the governor to negative the speaker 

*Hutcliinson's History of Massachusetts. 



1700—1745.] CAPT. THOMAS CHOATE. 145 

of the House, and forbade the House to adjourn for more 
than two days without his consent. During Gov. Shute's 
absence, Lt. Gov. Dummer, a native of Newbury, managed 
the affairs of the Province. He continued to act as gov- 
ernor till Burnet arrived, and again at his death till Belcher 
took the gubernatorial chair. Gov. Dummer, at his decease, 
bequeathed a valuable estate in Byfield toward supporting 
a grammar school there. This is now Dummer Academy. 
1728. As Capt. Thomas Choate has been the represen- 
tative of the town to the Great and General Court for 
several years, we will make an excursion to Hogg Island, 
and learn of him something of the political affairs of the 
Province, and of the doings of the Court. Mr. Choate is 
a man of strong mind, extensive information, and well 
qualified to express what he knows with clearness, precis- 
ion and force. Though living upon an island, his influence 
is felt in all public matters. Ipswich, which stands next 
to Salem, and near to Boston in political importance, would 
not be represented in the government of the Province by 
a man of inferior abilities. Our visit is on a bright sum- 
mer's morning, when the sun gladdens all the salt meadows, 
and the- birds carol from the neighboring bushes and trees, 
reminding us of the poetic words of the Ettrick shepherd : * 

" never before looked a moruing so fair 
Or the sunbeam so sweet on the lea ! 
The song of the merl from her old hawthorn tree 

And the blackbird's melodious lay, 
All sounded to him like an anthem of love, 
A song that the spirit of nature did move, 
A kind little hymn to their Maker above 

Who gave them the beauties of day." 

As we approach the island we see that like most other 
portions of 'the town it is in a great j)art covered with a 
thick forest. Mr. C. has cleared for himself an excellent 
farm, and has vigorous sons to cultivate it. Eleven chil- 
dren with himself and wife constitute the family. After 

* James Hogg. 
19 



146 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

an introduction and remarks on the weather, &c., we ex- 
press to him our desire that he would give us some httle 
account of affairs in Boston, and of our prospects for civil, 
and religious liberty, 

"I can relate to you a few things," he says, "which have come under 
my own observation during the few years I have been at Court. Aside from 
our trouble with the Indians, which I hope is nearly at an end, our chief 
labor and difficulty have been to preserve our rights and liberties from royal 
encroachments. Our kingly governors set their mark too high for the pre- 
rogatives of the crown, and for their own independence above the will of the 
people. They require not only a large salary, but also that we should place 
it beyond our own control, by making it permanent, or during their continu- 
ance in office. This, we think, is contrary to our liberties and privileges, as 
Englishmen, given us by Magna Charta. It is true his majesty has a salary 
fixed for life. But he is the father of his subjects, while our governors have 
no other interest with us, than to fill their purses and carry away what they 
can. There is no other way, we think, to ensure their good behavior, and 
make their administration for the public good, than to make them dependent 
for their living on those whom they serve. If the people furnish the money 
for all public uses, it belongs to them to say how it shall be disposed of. 
The keys of their own treasury they have a right to keep in their own hands. 
For this most essential principle of liberty, we have been obliged to contend 
with all our royal governors. Dummer has been more pacific and yielding, 
in some respects, than the rest of them ; yet he has contended for a portion 
of the people's money, in a yearly stipend, without the people's yearly con- 
sent. So wearisome have been our contests with his majesty's servants on 
this point, and so unbecoming their language often to us, that when, on a 
certain occasion, a motion was made for a grant to a governor to bear the ex- 
pense of his lady's funeral, an old representative dryly remarked that he ob- 
jected to a grant for the governor's lady ; had the motion been for a grant to 
bury the governor himself, he should have thought the money well laid out. 

" Another dark spot in our political horizon is the increased issue of Prov- 
ince bills. This is owing to the mistaken notion that an increase of currency 
in bills of credit, will not only revive trade, but be a remedy for all the evils 
felt from the depreciation of bills already in circulation. This is much the 
same as if a man, whose blood is in a corrupt state, should seek to restore it 
by high living. We look for the time when both of these dark clouds, which 
so strongly threaten our peace and prosperity, shall with the blessing of 
heaven, break and disappear." 

In full concurrence with these sentiments of Mr. Choate, 
we take leave, and return from the island. 

1729. This year a native of Chebacco, a son of our 



1700—1745. 



REV. JEREMIAH WISE. 147 



first minister, has the honor of preaching the Election 
Sermon in Boston. It was deUvered, as the title-page 
says, "Before his Excellency, William Burnet, esq., the 
Honourable, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Council and 
representatives of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 
May 28, being the day for the election of his Majesty's 
Council. By Jeremiah Wise, M. A., Pastor to a Church of 
Christ in Berwick. Sold at the Bible and Three Crowns 
near the Town Dock, Boston," The text is Rom. xiii. 4 : 
" For he is the minister of God to thee for good." The 
subject of the discourse is, " Civil Rulers should improve 
all their power and influence for the best good of a peo- 
ple." Among the various ways mentioned of doing this, 
is, taking care of the education of youth, and making 
suitable provision for the support of it. We give the 
following extracts as a specimen of the sermon : 

"The education of youth is a great benefit and service to the publick. 
This is that which civilizes them, takes down their temper, tames the fierce- 
ness of their natures, forms their minds to virtue, learns them to carry it with 
a just deference to superiors, makes them tractable or manageable, and by 
learning and knowing what it is to be under government, they will know bet- 
ter how to govern others when it comes to their turn. And thus it tends to 
good order in the State. Yea, good education tends to promote religion and 
reformation as well as peace and order ; as it gives check to idleness and 
ignorance, and the evil consequences thereof. Further by this means men 
are fitted for service for publick stations in Church and State, and to be pub- 
lick blessings. The publick would greatly suffer by the neglect thereof, and 
religion could not subsist long, but would decay and even die without it. 
The public weal depends upon it, and therefore it ought to be the publick 
care, and so it has been in the best formed Commonwealths who have erected 
and endowed publick schools and colleges for the education of youth. 

" This was our fathers' early care, even in the infancy of the country, and 
their pious zeal for the glory of God and the good of their posterity, has 
been remarkably blessed. Learning has flourished greatly under the care of 
the government, new colleges have been erected, and God has raised up gen- 
erous friends to become benefactors to them." 

In his address to the rulers, he says : 

" It is worthy of your serious inquiry, whether there has been enough 
done to guard the sanctity of the Sabbath, and to prevent the disorders, 



148 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

which too many in country towns are guilty of, in the intervals of divine service 
and on the evenings after it. Whether there may not be something further 
done to prevent the growth of intemperance, which has increased so much by 
yearly accessions, and threatens to deluge the country." 

The sermon consists of fifty-four printed pages, and does 
honor to the talents, learning, and fidelity of the author. 
Gov. Burnet's administration was short, — a little more than 
a year, and almost wholly spent in warm altercation with 
the Honorable House, in regard to a fixed salary. His want 
of success affected his spirits. He fell sick of a fever and 
died on the 7th of September, 1729. He was succeeded 
by Jonathan Belcher, a native of Massachusetts, but at 
that time a merchant in London. He arrived in the fol- 
lowing August. Like his predecessors, he proposed a fixed 
salary. Like them he saw the proposal repelled with de- 
cision and firmness. Seeing the cause to be desperate, he 
obtained leave from the crown to receive such grants as 
should be made to him. Thus ended the controversy 
which had been carried on for more thar forty years. 
Our fathers triumphed and maintained their liberty in the 
face of all the opposition of the British court, and the 
strenuous efforts of the royal governors. 

1732. The fishery was successfully carried on here, and 
in the centre of the town. The town by a vote passed 
the year before, require the names of all the crews of the 
fishing vessels in the town to be entered with the town 
clerk, on penalty of £20 for every omission. 

Leonard Cotton, the school-master, -is allowed by this 
parish the use of the school land. He had taught one 
year before this, and continued one year after. 

1733. Died July 9th, Dea. John Choate, eldest son of 
the first settler of that name, and brother of Capt. Thomas 
Choate. He was born in 1660, married Miss Elizabeth 
Giddings, and settled on the farm now owned by Darius 
Cogswell. He had six sons, four of whom died young. 
In 1712, he was chosen deacon of Mr. Wise's church. His 
age was 73. 



1700—1745.] JONATHAN COGSWELL, ESQ. 149 

Jonathan Cogswell, commissioned a justice of the peace, 
October 26, 1733, was a great-grandson of the first settler 
of that name and was the father of the late Col. Jonathan 
Cogswell. He was married July 1, 1731 to Miss Elizabeth 
Wade of Ipswich, and resided on the Cogswell farm which 
he inherited. He died May 2d, 1752. There is good tra- 
ditional authority for believing that the frame, chimneys, 
and a large part of the wood-work within, of the house, 
which was the residence of the late Adam Boyd, were 
built by Mr. Cogswell. One of the volumes, which, as a 
magistrate, he must have had frequent occasion to consult, 
has been preserved to the present time. It is a large, 
heavily bound book, entitled " Acts and Laws of his Maj- 
esty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 
passed by the Great and General Court or Assembly of 
the Massachusetts Bay, published in 1726." The oldest 
enactments in it are dated, 1692. His commission, with 
the signature of the Province officers, is also extant. The 
following is a •; exact copy of it : 

" George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and 
Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all unto whom these Presents 
shall come. Greeting : Know ye that We have assigned and constituted, and 
do by these Presents assign, constitute and appoint our trusty and well-be- 
loved Jonathan Cogswell, to be one of our Justices to keep our Peace in the 
County of Essex, within our Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England, and to keep and cause to be kept the laws and ordinances made for 
the good of the Peace and for the Conservation of the same and for the quiet 
Rule and Government of our People, in the said County, in all and every the 
articles thereof, according to the force, Form and effect of the same, and to 
chastise and Punish all Persons offending against the Form of those Laws 
and ordinances, or any of them, in the county aforesaid, as according to the 
form of those Laws and ordinances shall be fit to be done, and to cause to 
come before him the Said Jonathan Cogswell those that shall break the 
peace, or attempt anything against the same, or that shall threaten any of our 
People in their persons, or in burning their houses, to find sufficient security 
for the peace and for the good behaviour towards us and our people, and if 
they shall refuse to find such security, then to cause to be kept safe in Prison 
until they shall find the same, and to do and perform in the county aforesaid 
all anil whatsoever according to the laws and ordinances of our province 
afores'^ or any of them, a Justice of the Peace may and ought to do and pur- 



150 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

form, and. witli other our Justices of the Peace in our said county (according 
to the Tenour of the commission to them Granted,) to enquire by the oaths 
of good and lawful men of our said County, by whom the truth may be the 
better known of all and all manner of thefts, Trespasses, Riots, Routs and 
unlawful assemblies whatsoever, and all singular other misdeeds and offences 
of which Justices of the Peace in their general Sessions may and ought to 
inquire, by whomsoever or howsoever done or perpetrated, or which shall here- 
after happen howsoever to be done or attempted in the county aforesaid con- 
trary to the form of the Laws and ordinances aforesaid made for the common 
good of our Province afores** and the People thereof, and with other Justices in 
our s*^ County (according to the Tenour of the commission to them Granted 
as afores"* ) to hear and determine all and singular the said Thefts, Trespasses, 
Riots, Routs, unlawful assemblies, and all and singular other the Premises, 
and to do therein as to Justice appertaineth according to the Laws, Statutes 
and ordinances aforse'' ; In Testimony whereof We have caused the Publick 
Seal of our Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid to be hereunto 
affixed. 

"Witness Jonathan Belcher, our captain-General and Governour-in-Chief 
of our Province, at Boston, the twenty-sixth Day of October, 1733, In the 
seventh year of our reign. 

" By order of the Governour, with the advice and consent of the Council. 

"J. WiLLARD, Secy. J. Belcher." 

THE FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATE FROM CHEBACCO. 
1734. Rev. John Eveleth, whose death occurred August 
1, of this year, was the first Chebacco boy who received a 
liberal education. He was the son of Joseph and Mary 
Eveleth, and was born in Gloucester on the 18th of De- 
cember, 1669, of which town his grandfather, Sylvester 
Eveleth, (or Eveleigh as it was then written,) became a 
resident about the year 1648. When John was about five 
years of age, in the year 1674, his father removed with 
his family to Chebacco where he sjDent the remainder of 
his life and where he died December 1, 1745, at the 
extraordinary age of 105 years. "It is said that he was 
remarkable for his piety, and that a few years before his 
death (probably in 1740), he was visited by the celebrated 
preacher, Rsv. George Whitefield, on one of his journeys 
through this town from Boston to Newburyport, who, in 
accordance with an ancient custom kneeled down before 
this venerable patriarch and received his blessing." John 



1700—1745.] REV. JOHN EVELETH. 151 

was fitted for college at the Ipswich grammar school, and 
was graduated at Harvard College in 1G89. As soon as 
he had studied divinity sufficiently, he commenced preach- 
ing at Manchester, and continued to supply the pulpit 
there until 1695. On the 13th of May, 1700, he was in- 
vited to preach in the town of Stowe. He accepted this 
invitation and remained there seventeen years, although 
the organization of a church, and his ordination as its pas- 
tor, did not take place until three or four years after his 
call. Dismissed in December, 1717, he was settled again 
in 1719, at Arundel (now Kennebunkport, Me.,) and his 
pastorate there extended to the year 1729. During three 
years of this ministry, he divided his services equally 
between the towns of Arundel and Biddeford. He also 
acted as chaplain to some provincial forces stationed in 
the vicinit}'-, from January 11, 1724, till the middle of 
1726, or later. He resigned his ministerial charge much 
against the wishes of the inhabitants, " as he was not only 
their minister and school-master, but a good blacksmith 
and farmer, and the best fisherman in town." His re- 
maining years, at least till 1732, were spent in the same 
town. He was buried " in the town of Kittery, near Eliot." 
Mr. Eveleth's brother James was the father of Aaron Eve- 
leth, and the grandfather of the late Jonathan Eveleth. 

John Burnham, 3d, has the improvement of the school 
pasture, as school-master of the place. In addition to what 
is raised here, a committee is appointed to receive from 
the town their proportion of =£100, raised for the suj)port 
of schools in the several parishes. 

At a meeting in May, a committee is chosen to wait on 
Mr. Pickering, and inquire on what terms he will sell to 
them the lot of land given him by the commoners, Ij'ing 
on the north of the meeting-house, joining upon Joseph 
and Robert Rust's land, Thomas Varney's, and the Glou- 
cester road, measuring one hundred and twenty-three 
square rods. Mr. Pickering afterward conveyed this lot 
to the parish by deed. At a meeting in August they 



152 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

voted, that in consKleration of their love and affection to 
the Rev. Theophilus Pickering, they do freely, fully and 
absolutely give, grant and convey to him, and his heirs and 
assigns forever, all their right, title and interest in the land 
on which the fence in front of his house stands, and' the 
land enclosed by the same, and also in the well dug by 
him on the south-easterly side of the road. This year they 
add fifty pounds to his salary, on account of the depreci- 
ation of currency. They had been gradually increasing 
it years before, and continued so to do till his salary 
amounted to two hundred and thirty-two poundfe. 

1735. The most extensive and fatal epidemic which had 
been known in New England since its settlement by our 
fathers, prevailed in this and other towns. It was called 
the throat distemper. The throat swelled with white or 
ash colored specks, an effloresence appeared on the skin, 
there .was a great debility of the whole system, and a 
strong tendency to putridity. The distress and anguish 
were often indescribable. The writhings and contortions 
of the patient seemed as great as if he were on a bed of 
burning coals. It spent its force chiefly in the northern 
part of this county, and in some of the adjacent towns 
in New Hampshire. It was confined to no season of the 
year but prevailed and continued with more or less sever- 
ity through every month. Some families lost all their 
children. In some towns one-seventh part of the popula- 
tion were cut down by it. 

The parish, relying upon the constable, who had unex- 
pectedly gone to sea, to collect their taxes, and the time 
for legally choosing a collector having gone by, are com- 
pelled to petition the State authorities for leave to choose 
one out of season. The form then used may give us some 
idea of the olden time in such matters : 

" To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, esq., Captain-General and Governour- 
in-Chief in and over his Majesty's precincts of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
England, and the Hon. his Majesty's Council, and the Hon. the House of 
llepresentatives in General Court assembled in June, 1735, the petition," &c- 



1700—1745.] DEER HUNT. 153 

This year the vegetable potato was brought into the 
place for the first time. Mr. Cavies, whose house stood 
near the dwelling of Mrs. Griggs, being in Salem and see- 
ing potatoes on board of a coasting vessel, bought a small 
quantity and sold them to his neighbors for seed. They 
were first planted in beds, and for some years after, a 
bushel was considered a great crop. The mode of cook- 
ing was to cut them in slices and boil with soup. 

1738. The parish direct the trustees to take down the 
turret, lest it should fall and damnify the meeting-house. 
They afterwards erected a new one. 

As this is a leisure season, and somewhat dry (historic- 
ally), we will accompany our fathers to the woods on a 
deer hunt. As deerskin is a staple article for small clothes, 
and mittens, and can be had only by hunting, and the flesh 
is fine venison, such excursions are not infrequent. We 
assemble with our hunting party on the common by the 
school-house, on a fine moonlight evening in November. 
A moderate fall of snow makes the woods more light and 
pleasant, and wiU help us in our hunting match. We 
enter the woods just north of the common, between Jo- 
seph Rust's and Thomas Varney's, taking a west-north- 
west direction. Our huntsmen have their horns and 
their dogs, and the scene is greatly enlivened by the 
blowing of the one and the barking and frisking of the 
other. Plenty of hand-sleds are taken with us to draw 
back the fruit of our game. Our cheering and shouting 
and barking are responded to by the howling of the 
wolves, which are on the alert. They are disposed to ap- 
proach us, but the flash arid report of a gun now and then 
starts them off again. We now come to Belcher's lane, 
and as we cross it we see the light from his dwelling. On 
entering the thick woods again, we incline towards the 
hills on the left. Occasionally a fox is seen darting swiftly 
before us. They are out of their holes in the stillness of 
the night to gather up their wonted food. Some of our 
huntsmen let fly at them, and the dogs bound off in pur- 

20 



154 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

suit, but they are too swift and wary to be taken, so the 
dogs are called back. Our most experienced huntsmen 
caution us to take care of ourselves when we come upon 
the deer. Though timid animals, they are full of craft, 
and when hard pushed, without any way of escape, are 
apt to rush upon their assailants, and do injury with their 
furious horns. There are signs of a herd not far off, and 
we are directed to restrain all noise and proceed softly. 
The dogs take the hint, and are as mute and cautious as 
any of us. Approaching the foot of a hill we come in 
sight of them. The whole herd are upon their feet listen- 
ing to our approach, and in a moment they bound off, but 
not till our. guns have brought some of them to the 
ground. Our huntsmen follow and the dogs are in full 
chase. Some that were wounded are held at bay by the 
hounds, the huntsman's spear finishes the work of death 
upon them, and all gather round blowing the horns in 
triumph for such a victory. We load up our victims and 
set out for our return. As we traverse the thick forest 
our spirits anticipate the day, a hundred years later when 
all these trees will disappear, and through this lone valley, 
the steam engine may be flying with greater rapidity than 
the deer, drawino; scores of busv travelers after it. Such 
a suggestion to our fathers, however, would appear like 
the wildest of all dreams. 

1740. John Varney, a fugitive British man-of-war's 
man, stopped at Esquire Choate's door, and asked for food, 
which was given him. He was also allowed to spend the 
night. By way of payment for the favor, he began to chop 
wood at the door, and remained with the family until he 
had cut all the wood, and helped about the farm. The 
"commoners" or land-holders, at some meeting, voted that 
Varney might have a certain poor rocky piece of land, situ- 
ated about two miles south-west from the meeting-house. 
Varney was very industrious, built walls, planted fruit- 
trees, and brought the land into a good state of culti- 
vation. Varney was a conscientious church-goer. At 



1700—1745.] SCHOOL PRIVILEGES. 155 

Christmas the old people far and near would visit him, 
carrying provisions for him in wallets upon their shoulders. 
Poor Varney would talk of " Old England," and weep like 
a child because he would never see it again. " Skipper " 
Wesley Burnham, when a very small boy, ate of the fruit 
which Varney raised ; the trees were standing but a few 
years ago. The land is now the property of the heirs of 
the late Zaccheus Burnham, and the site of the house and 
barn is still pointed out ; although it is at present a heav- 
ily timbered woodland. The smallness of the inclosures, 
for the stone walls are still -standing, is a curiosity, not to 
say a mystery, as very little use could apparently have 
been made of them. 

1742. The house of Joseph Belcher was consumed by 
fire. The Parish vote that the money which they had 
taken by contribution on the Sabbath for sufferers by fire 
in Carolina, but which had not been sent on there, should 
be given to their neighbor, Mr. Belcher. They also re- 
quest their minister to have another contribution taken 
for the benefit of some others that were found to be needy 
among them. 

This year they vote for the first time that their school 
shall be taught two months of the year on the south side 
of the river, and two months at the Falls. They had been 
in the habit, for a series of years, of uniting with the 
Hamlet parish in hiring a teacher for the year, who was 
to divide his time between the two parishes as their re- 
spective school committees might agree. When the Ham- 
let did not join with them, they usually voted to employ 
a teacher for the year in this place. It was at such times 
probably that they allowed it to be taught four months 
in other parts of the town, in rooms provided by the in- 
habitants in those neighborhoods, while the other eight 
months were spent in the school-house. This tells nobly 
for the zeal of our fathers in the cause of education. In 
addition to their portion of the town's money for school- 
ing, they taxed themselves "as a parish for the same pur- 



156 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

pose, to the amount of £20 or more. At one time they 
petitioned the town for a portion of the grammar school 
rents; at another, that the grammar school might be 
taught a portion of the year in Chebacco, both of which 
were unsuccessful. They vote, this year, that the parents 
shall pay three pence per week for each child sent to school. 
The administration of the new governor was a subject of 
much conversation at this time with our fathers. Gov. 
Shirley was born in England and bred a lawyer. Having 
a numerous family, he removed to this country, and opened 
an office in Boston. When the news came of his being ap- 
pointed governor, July, 1741, he was in Rhode Island, as 
counsel for Massachusetts before a court of commissioners 
appointed to settle the bounds between the two Provinces. 
It was matter of much speculation with the politicians of 
the day, what course he would pursue in regard to the great 
points of controversy between the people and the crown. 
Events, however, soon showed that he was disposed to favor 
the people by following the royal instructions according to 
their spirit as he apprehended them, and not strictly ac- 
cording to their letter. His favorite measure for the tak- 
ing of Louisbourg, caused him to yield still more to the 
people, that they might be disposed to yield to him. 

1744-5. News of war with France and Spain being 
received, preparations began to be made for the invasion 
of Nova Scotia. These were not completed till March of 
the following year, when the troops sailed from Boston — 
the land forces thirty-eight hundred in number, under 
the command of Col. William Pepperell, the naval force 
under Commodore Warren. The grand design was the 
capture of Louisburg, styled the Dunkirk of America. 
Its fortifications had employed French troops twenty-five 
years, and cost thirty millions of livres. Among the three 
thousand troops called out from the several towns for this 
expedition Ipswich, as usual, furnished its full proportion, 
which included several from this part of the town. Tra- 
dition mentions Aaron Foster among them, then a young 



1700—1745.] LOUISBURG EXPEDITION. 157 

man of twenty-three. We will call at his father's at the 
old Foster house, at the Falls, near the south-westerly 
junction of the old and new roads to the Center, and hear 
from the young soldier the account which he may be sup- 
posed to have given on his return. Several of the neigh- 
bors are in, and the youthful adventurer thus proceeds : 

" After we were drafted, we put our fire-arms in order, and equipped our- 
selves for a campaign of several months. On receiving notice we repaired 
to Boston, and were put on board one of the transports ; all of which, con- 
voyed by the Shirley, sailed from Nantasket roads the next morning, 24th 
of March. We had pretty good weather for the season ; but owing to some 
head winds we did not pass Cape Sable under several days, and it was not 
till the 2d of April that we began to steer more northerly for the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, and on the 4th we put in at Canso. Here we were joined by the 
troops of New Hampshire and Connecticut, making our whole land force above 
four thousand strong. Learning that there was so much ice about the island 
of Cape Breton, that it would be of no use for us to proceed, we waited three 
weeks in the harbor of Canso. Soon after we had orders from the General 
to get under way, and our whole fleet made for Cape Breton, and on the 
30th of April anchored in Chapeau Rouge Bay. We were discovered early 
in the morning, and a detachment of one hundred and fifty men was sent to 
prevent our landing. But our General was crafty, and making a pretence of 
landing at one place drew the enemy there, while a hundred of our men 
landed at another. These were soon attacked by the enemy, but we killed 
six of them and took as many more prisoners. We should soon have taken 
the whole, if they had not fled to the town, for our men were fast landing, 
one upon the back of another. About a mile beyond us on the same point 
of land was the grand battery to guard the entrance to the town from the 
harbor. A quantity of pitch, tar, and other combustibles in the storehouses 
that we burnt, caused a thick smoke, and the wind driving it directly into 
the l)attery the enemy were terrified, fearing that our whole force was upon 
them. They deserted the fort at once, having spiked their cannon and 
thrown their powder into a well. A small party of our men went up to the 
fort first, but discovering no signs of life suspected a plot and were afraid to 
enter, but a Cape Cod Indian crept slyly in, and finding it empty, soon made 
the fact known and our men rushed in just as the French were returning to 
take possession of it. Thus was a stronghold gained by us without any ex- 
pense of blood or treasure. Maj. Pomeroy of Northampton in our Province, 
was placed at the head of twenty of our soldiers, that were smiths, for the 
purpose of drilling the cannon which had been spiked. They soon had tlieni 
in readiness for use again, and the enemy's fire from the town and from an- 
other battery on an island in the harbor was briskly returned by us, with 
great damage to the houses in the town. Several attempts were made to take 



158 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 2. 

the island, but in vain. At the last attempt we had sixty killed and one 
hundred and sixteen taken prisoners. There was no hope left but to scale 
the walls, which could not be done without planting our cannon and mortars 
near, to cover our men in the attack. This was a difficult problem to work 
out, for there was a boggy morass to be crossed over, which wheels could not 
pass, and men would sink to their middle in the mud. In despair of getting 
over the bogs it occurred to one of our officers, Capt. Noyes of Newburyport, 
that there were several hundred pairs of snow-shoes in camp, in expectation 
of a winter's campaign. He put on a pair, and found he could walk upon the 
morass perfectly well. This removed the difficulty. Drags were constructed 
by our carpenters, twenty feet by sixteen, smooth and flat at the bottom. 
Noyes had the cannon placed upon them, and selecting fifty men accustomed 
to snow-shoes, and fixing a long rope to the drag, we walked the morass 
at the dead of night without difficulty, and placed the cannon where Col. 
Vaudian directed, coverino; them well with sea-weed, so that where there 
appeared only a mass of sea-weed at night, a formidable battery rose in the 
morning. The approaches were then begun in the mode which seemed most 
proper to our plain, common sense men. Some more learned in military 
tactics began to talk of zigzags and epaulements, but we made ourselves very 
merry over this, and went on in our own way. By the 20th of May we had 
erected five batteries, one of which mounted five forty-two pounders and did 
great execution. We also erected a new battery upon the light-house point 
which silenced many of the guns of the island battery. English ships of 
war were continually arriving, which added such strength to our fleet, that a 
combined attack upon the town was resolved upon. But before this was 
eSected, Duchambon, the French commander, becoming disheartened, offcsred 
to capitulate. On the 17tli of June, the town, the city, fort and batteries 
were surrendered to us, and we marched in in triumph. As we entered the 
fortress and looked upon the strength of the place, our hearts for the first 
time sunk within us. All seemed to be deeply affected with the wonderful 
providence of God in making everything favorable for us, and in filling 
the heart of the enemy with fear, so that they gave up to us, an army of un- 
disciplined mechanics, farmers and fishermen, a fortress impregnable by any 
force that we could bring against it. Many of our men during the siege had 
taken colds, and many were seized with the dysentery, so that fifteen hundred 
men were taken off" from duty at one time ; but the weather proving remark- 
ably fine, during the forty-nine days' siege, they generally recovered. The 
day after, the rains began and continued ten days without cessation. If this 
had occurred before, it must have been fatal to many of us, as we should 
have had nothing better than the wet ground to lie upon, and our tents were 
not sufficient to shelter us against a single shower." 

In addition to this account of the returned soldier, we 
may say, on the best authority, that this expedition was 



1700—1745.] LOUISBURG EXPEDITION. 159 

one of the most remarkable events in the history of North 
America. When the news reached Boston, the bells of 
the town were rung merrily, and all the people were in 
transports of joy. The intelHgence spread rapidly through 
all the towns, carrying with it equal gladness, and affect- 
ing the hearts of all Christians with a sense of the won- 
derful interposition of God in behalf of the colonies. 
And well they might rejoice and give thanks. Their 
commerce and fisheries were now secure, and their mari- 
time cities relieved from the dread of an attack from a 
formidable foe. The next year the French made extraor- 
dinary exertions to retrieve their loss, sending a powerful 
fleet to the American coast, the news of whose approach 
spread terror through every town. But a succession of 
disasters prevented it from inflicting any injury and com- 
pelled its speedy withdrawal. 

March 3, (1745,) died Capt. Thomas Choate. He was a 
son of John Choate, the first settler of that name in Che- 
bacco, and was the first resident of Hogg Island. In both 
parish and town affairs he was a leading man, and was a 
representative to the General Court in 1723-27. 



CHAPTER III. 

1746 — 1774. 
THE TWO PARISHES AND THEIR REUNION. 

1746. This year was made especially memorable in 
the annals of Chebacco by the division of Mr. Pickering's 
church and the organization of a new church and society. 
Two years before, twenty-six of his church members had 
presented to Mr. Pickering a statement m writing of cer- 
tain " grievances or occasions of disquietude " toward him, 
and notified him of their intention to withdraw from his 
preaching, unless the causes of their disquietude should be 
removed. These grievances were, in reality, accusations of 
the gravest character — charging him with not preaching 
plainly the distinctive doctrines of the Bible, with a want 
of interest in his ministerial work, with worldliness of spirit 
and conduct, and with opposition to the great revival of re- 
ligion of the preceding years. The general attention to 
religion to which they referred, was effected, so far as human 
means were concerned, largely by the preaching of Rev. Mr. 
Whitefield, who, in 1740, visited New England for the first 
time, and preached in many places. During his tour to the 
eastward, on which he started from Boston, September 29th, 
he "preached at Ipswich to some thousands." Respecting 
this occasion he wrote, " the Lord gave me freedom, and 
there was a great melting in the congregation." * He also 
visited Chebacco at the same time. Of this revival these 
disaffected brethren afterwards gave the following account: 

" In the year 1741 and onwards, it pleased God, out of his rich, free and 
sovereign grace, to bring upon the minds of many in this parish a deep concern 

* This scene was on the hill in front of the First Congregational meeting-house in 
Ipswich Center. 



1746—1774.] DIVISION OF THE PARISH. 161 

about their future state, and what they should do to be saved ; and although 
something of this concern then spread itself over the land, and in some places 
was very remarkable, we believe it was in none more so than in this place, 
where before, we were as careless, worldly and secure as any, if not more so. 
But now the face of things was changed ; and engagedness to hear the word 
preached, Christian conferences, private meetings for religious worship, and 
assistance to each other in the way of life, were what the minds of many ap- 
peared to be deeply concerned in, and engrossed much of our time. And 
we have undoubted grounds to conclude that at this time tlie free grace of 
God was richly displayed in the saving conversion of many among us." 

Mr. Pickering had declared himself not unfriendly to 
revivals of religion, but had objected to some of the meas- 
ures adopted by Mr, Whitefield to promote them. His 
treatment of the aggrieved, however, having only served 
to increase their alienation of feeling toward him, they 
laid their grievances before the church. Their accusa- 
tions were decided to be unsupported by evidence, but 
in the hope of bringing about a reconciliation, final action 
in the case was postponed. Soon after this, their applica- 
tion for a mutual council to decide the question at issue, 
was refused, on the ground that by their withdrawal they 
had forfeited their claim to it; but the church reconsid- 
ered this action in the year 1745, and unsolicited, twice 
proposed to the aggrieved to unite in calling such a coun- 
cil, which proposal they in turn both times refused. A 
little later, an agreement was made that the controversy 
should be terminated by Mr. Pickering's resignation of 
his charge, provided that a majority of the church should 
consent to his going, that a purchaser should be found for 
his estate, and that mutual forgiveness should be exer- 
cised. These conditions, however, were not complied with. 
On the 13th of January, 1746, sixteen members of the 
church " assembled at the house of Daniel Giddinge, and 
resolved to separate from him and his church, and set up 
for a distinct society, unless he would consent to resign 
his pastorate." Of this meeting, Capt. Robert Choate was 
moderator, and William Giddinge, clerk, and a committee 
was appointed to confer with Mr. Pickering. At an ad- 

21 



162 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

journed meeting two days later, this committee made a 
rejoort of their interview, and " there being now a church- 
meeting held at the meeting-house, our society in general," 
says the record, "went up to said meeting, and declared 
to Mr. Pickering and to the church publicly, that they 
had separated themselves from them." On the 20th of 
the same month the formation of a " Separate Society " 
was completed, thirty-eight men entering into and signing 
" a solemn covenant and league to set up the worship of 
God agreeable to his word revealed in the Scriptures." 
At another meeting held the 2d of May, William 'Gid- 
dinge, Lieut. Thomas Choate, Ensign James Eveleth, 
'Squire Francis Choate and Daniel Giddinge were chosen 
a committee to invite the churches in Mansfield, Canter- 
bury and Plainfield, Conn., and the " Separate Church " in 
Boston, to assemble in council and organize a new church. 
At about the same time, the Separatists also declined the 
proposal of a council, which had been called by the Sec- 
ond Church, to make that council a mutual one by invit- 
ing such other churches as they might select, to form a 
part of it. When this council, which had been in the 
meantime enlarged, so that nine churches were repre- 
sented on it, again met on the 20th of May, 1746, it again 
invited the a^a^rieved to refer their matters of difference 
with the church to it. This offer was refused, though they 
" at length consented that the members of the council 
should as private Christians have an hearing of their case, 
and presented all their articles of complaint and their 
evidence to sustain it." 

This council consisted of the first and second churches 
in Gloucester, the first and third churches in Ipswich, two 
churches in Beverly, two churches in Rowley, and the 
church in Wenham. Rev. John White was moderator. 
They appear to have made a thorough and impartial in- 
vestigation of the whole matter. The accusations made 
by the aggrieved were considered one by one, and the 
evidence for and against each, including several of Mr. 



1746—1774.] EESULT OF COUNCIL. 163 

Pickering's sermons, was heard and weighed. The judg- 
ment of a majority of tlie council upon each charge, as 
well as their advice to the parties concerned, was given 
apparently with great candor, imjiartiality and discrimina- 
tion, in their " result," which was adopted at an adjourned 
meeting held June 10th. In Mr. Pickering's sermons 
" they could not discern any of the alleged defects, but, 
on the contrary, no small number of the doctrines of 
grace, handled in a judicious manner." In their judg- 
ment, there was no ground whatever for the charge of a 
want of interest in his ministerial work, or of a neglect of 
pastoral visits ; no reason for doubting his piety, nor for 
believing that he had been worldly in spirit, or had con- 
ducted improperly in business affairs. They were of the 
opinion, however, that he had been " negligent about ex- 
amining candidates for admission to the church respecting 
their religious experiences," that he had been "wanting 
in ministerial duty in not early and thoroughly examining 
into the nature of the religious appearances among his 
flock," and that his treatment of the aggrieved at first 
" had given them just ground of offence, but that he had 
offered them such satisfaction, that they ought to forgive 
him." The conclusion of their result is as follows : 

" We can by no means approve of said aggrieved members withdrawment 
from the Communion of the Church, to which they belong, and from the 
pubKc ministration of the word by the Pastor : yea, we look upon this their 
conduct as very unjustifiable and reproachful to Religion, and more especially 
since they have also, contrary to the known order of these churches, set up 
a separate Assembly for solemn Worship, and invited and encouraged Per- 
sons of doubtful character, and coming to them in a disorderly manner, to 
teach them from time to time ; which last thing in particular may be of most 
pernicious influence, to introduce among themselves and neighbors, dangerous 
corruptions in Doctrine, as well as set an evil example. We advise the 
church that at present great tenderness and even long suffering be extended 
towards the separating members, that if possible they may be won thereby. 
In cordial love to the pastor we advise him to ask pardon of his great Master, 
for any such false steps of his, whereby his brethren may have been made to 
stumble : Also that he be ready, with Humility to acknowledge them, on 
proper occasions : and that he use all wise, endearing and condescending 



164 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

metbods, which God in his Providence may at any time give him opportunity 
of taking to gain his offended Brethren." 

From this decision a minority of six — including three 
ministers — expressed their dissent as follows : 

"As to many main articles of charge exhibited, the aggrieved have real 
grounds of grievance with their pastor, and it appears to us that these grounds . 
of grievance do still remain. We cannot concur with the council, that the 
withdraw of the aggrieved is unjustifiable and reproachful to religion : neither 
that they have exposed themselves to the censure of the church thereby. 
And it highly concerns the pastor and the church to remove the stumbling- 
blocks out of the way of the said withdrawing brethren, by that confession 
and reformation which is their duty, and which may draw them into a re- 
union with themselves." 

Even they, however, add : 

" We cannot justify their withdraw in all the circiimstances of it; and we 
think the aggrieved brethren should greatly desire and carefully endeavor a 
reunion, by acknowledging and putting away what has been unchristianlike 
in their spirit or behavior, either towards Pastor or Church." 

The seceders, however, did not wait for the decision of 
this body, nor even for its deliberations. The council 
which they had voted to call, on which, however, only the 
churches in Boston and Canterbury were represented, met 
by their invitation on the same day (May 20th), at the 
house of Mr. Francis Choate. The reasons for the with- 
drawal which have been already stated were also laid be- 
fore it. This council justified the separation, assisted in 
the preparation of " articles of faith and discipline and a 
covenant," and in its presence these were signed by nine 
men and thirty-two women, on the 22d of May. Thus 
was constituted the " Fourth Church in Ipswich." On the 
30th, Francis Choate was elected moderator, and Rev. 
Ebenezer Cleaveland ("our preacher") acting scribe. 

Rev. Ebenezer Cleaveland, the first preacher to this new 
Society, was born in Canterbury, Conn., January 5th, 1725. 
He entered Yale College in 1744, but a few months after, 
November 19th, for the offence of "attending the ministra- 
tions of a lay exhorter of the Whitefield stamp," though it 
was in vacation and in company with his parents and was 



1746—177-1.] [ THE FOURTH CHURCH. 165 

not known to be in violation of any rnle, and for his refusal 
to acknowledge that he deserved censnre for the act, was 
expelled from College, on the ground that it was a sanction 
of " measures deemed subversive of the established order 
of the churches." The government of the College after- 
ward rescinded the vote of expulsion, and enrolled him as. 
a graduate of the class of 1748 to which he had belonged. 
He preached in Chebacco from the Spring of 1746 until 
nearly the close of that year. The " Fourth Church," after 
he left them, gave him a "letter of recommendation to 
the work of the Gospel ministrj^, " in which it is mentioned 
that he " did dwell with and preach the Gospel unto us 
for several months." In 1751 he commenced preaching 
at Sandy Bay — now Rockport, and in February 13, 1755, a 
church was organized, of which he was ordained pastor in 
December of that year. He continued to be its minister 
until May, 1784. In the French war of 1758, and the Can- 
ada expedition in 1759, he was a chaplain in the army. 
He also entered the continental army in the same capacity, 
in June, 1775, and served about three years. After his dis- 
mission he preached several years in Landaff, N. H., and 
then returning to Rockport, resided there the remainder 
of his life, occasionally preaching in destitute places. His 
death occurred July 4, 1805. On his tombstone it is re- 
corded that he was " a faithful pastor and a godly man." 
On the 17th of December, 1746, the "Fourth Church" 
proceeded to the election of permanent officers. Francis 
Choate and Daniel Giddinge were chosen Ruling Elders, 
and Eleazer Craft and Solomon Giddinge, Deacons. Sev- 
eral years later (in 1751), these office-bearers were for- 
mally set apart to their work by ordination at the hands 
of the pastor. Still later in its history (November 20, 
1765,) Dea. Craft was made a Ruling Elder, and Stephen 
Choate and Thomas Burnham, Deacons. At the same 
meeting Mr. John Cleaveland, present by invitation, was 
" desired to declare his principles," which he did, and was 
then unanimously elected pastor of the church. In this 



166 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

action the Society concurred, and the invitation thus ex- 
tended, Mr. Cleaveland accepted, December 26th. 

1747. His ordination took place on the 25th of Feb- 
ruary following. The council called for this purpose con- 
sisted of Rev. John Rogers and delegates from the church 
in Kittery, Me., delegates from the New Church in Exeter, 
N. H., and Rev. Nathaniel Rogers and delegates from the 
first church in this town. Other churches were invited 
but the inclemency of the weather prevented their attend- 
ance. The council assembled the day before at the North 
End, at the house of Mr. Francis Clioate, (the same as to 
its frame as that now owned by Mr. John Burnham,) for 
the purpose of examining the candidate and assigning the 
parts for the ordination. Rev. John Rogers was chosen 
moderator, and Rev. John Phillips scribe. An elevated 
platform was erected in front of the house to accommodate 
the council during" the public exercises, while the congre- 
gation stood in front of that. The services commenced 
at ten o'clock. The ordaining prayer was offered and the 
charge given by the Rev. John Rogers, and the fellowship 
of the churches expressed by Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. 
Notwithstanding the severity of the season, tradition says 
that a large audience were in attendance. 

This opening year of Mr. Cleaveland's ministry also 
witnessed the death of Rev. Theophilus Pickering, after a 
short illness, on the 7th of October,* at the age of 47. 
He was the second son of John and Sarah Pickering, and 
was born in Salem, September 28, 1700. The family had 
been one of much prominence in olden time in that city, 
and afterwards some of its members were distinguished in 
the affairs of State. His grandfather, John Pickering, was 
born in England in 1615, and emigrated to Salem in 1637. 
His nephew Timothy was a Colonel in the Revolutionary 
War, and Secretary of War and afterwards of State, under 

*It has been found impossible to account for tlie discrepancy between this date of 
Mr. Pickering's death taken from the records, and that carved on his tomb-stone. 
Both have been correctly copied. 



1746—1774.] CHAKACTEE OF ME. PICKEEING. 167 

the second administration of Washington, John Picker- 
ing, another relative, was an eminent lawyer of the pres- 
ent century, distinguished also for his classical learning. 
Theophilus graduated at Harvard University in 1719, and 
though he soon after came into possession of considerable 
property at the death of his father, June 19, 1722, he de- 
termined to devote himself to the work of the ministry. 
He was laborious and successful in his pastoral office, and 
during his ministry about two hundred persons were ad- 
mitted to the church. As a Christian man and teacher, he 
had the confidence of most of his brethren in the ministry, 
and there is no reason to doubt the conscientiousness of 
his opposition to the course of the Separatists. The esti- 
mation in which he was held by his own church is plainly 
seen in the language used respecting him in the "Answer 
of the Second Church to the Chebacco Brethren's Plain 
Narrative : " 

" We at Chebacco have (as wo verily believe,) had among us a man of 
God, a learned, orthodox, prudent, faithful minister of Jesus Christ, though 
not without failings even as others ; one whom we heard teaching and preach- 
ing the truths of the Gospel, with pleasure, and we hope, with profit ; and 
whose memory will, we trust, be ever dear to us notwithstanding the re- 
proaches that have been plentifully cast upon him." 

He was a diligent student, was well versed in theology, 
and, in the judgment of his contemporaries, was a man of 
vigorous intellect and of superior ability as a logician and 
a writer. From a list of his books which is preserved in 
a collateral branch of the family, it appears that he was 
possessed of a very valuable library. His genius for 
mechanism was great. Many specimens of his mechani- 
cal labors still remain. As a testimony to his learning and 
abilities, it has been said to the author by some aged peo- 
ple who remembered him, that Whitefield, after considera- 
ble debate with him on the cardinal points of Christianity, 
acknowledged that he was a man of great ingenuity, though 
he regretted the erroneousness of his views. Mr. Picker- 
ing was never married. His will, which was dated October 



168 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

4, 1747, begins as follows : " I, Theophilus Pickering, being 
of sound mind and memory, but laboring under sickness, 
and realizing my mortality." In it he distributed seven 
thousand pounds, old tenor, to his sisters and their chil- 
dren, and gave the residue of his estate to his brother 
Timothy. His tomb-stone in the old grave-yard contains 
the following inscription : 

HERE LIES BURIED THE 

Body of y^ Rev^ M ■• 
THEOPHILUS PICKERING, 

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 

Sept- ye igth^ 1747, 

AGED 47 YEARS. 

Three deacons of the church had died during his min- 
istry, John Choate in 1730, Seth Story in 1732, aged 73, 
and John Burnham (chosen deacon in 1732,) in 1746. 
The number of church-members at his death was forty. 
Four vessels used at the communion service, marked 
"Ipswich Second Church" — two of them having the 
date, " 1728," and the other two, " 1732 "—are still in the 
possession and use of the church, venerable for their an- 
tiquity, and prized for the associations connected with them. 

1748. Shortly after Mr. Cleaveland's ordination, Mr. 
Pickering had published a pamphlet, entitled "A Bad 
Omen to the Churches in the instance of Mr. John 
Cleaveland's Ordination over a Separation in Chebacco 
Parish." This was immediately answered by Mr. Cleave- 
land, in another pamphlet, entitled " A Plain Narrative of 
the Proceedings which caused a Separation of a Number 
of Aggrieved Brethren from the Second Church in Ips- 
wich : or, a Relation of the Cause which produced the 
Effects that are exhibited in the Rev. Mr. Pickering's late 
Print, entitled 'A Bad Omen to the Churches.'" Mr. 
Pickering's preparation of a rejoinder he did not live to 
complete, but his church after his death carried out his 
purpose in the publication early the next year of "An 
Answer to the Chebacco Brethren's Plain Narrative — the 



1746—1774.] DROUTH. 169 

Pretended Narrative convicted of Fraud and Partiality ; 
or a Letter from the Second Cluu-cli in Ipswich to their 
Separated Brethren, in Defence of their deceased Pastor 
and Themselves against the Injurious Charges of the said 
Separated Brethren in a late Print of theirs, by giving a 
more Just and True account of the things that preceded 
the Separation." In answer to this, another pamphlet 
appeared, supposed to have been written by Mr. Cleave- 
land, entitled " Chebacco Narrative Rescued from the 
Charge of Falsehood and Partiality." " These pamphlets 
are all written with great spirit, and show that the minds 
of the several writers were stirred to their inmost depths." 

The Second Church, however, instead of carrying the 
controversy further, determined to submit the proceedings 
of the Separatists, subsequent to their withdrawal, to the 
judgment of others. Accordingly by their desire a coun- 
cil of delegates from the South, the old and new North 
churches of Boston, the third church of Salem, the first 
church of Reading, and the first church of Cambridge, met 
at Chebacco on the 19 th of July, 1748, relative to the set- 
tlement of Mr. Cleaveland there. On the 30th they met 
by adjournment in Boston. They concluded "that Mr. 
Cleaveland's church was not a Congregational Church, 
and that the first church in Ipswich and the church in 
Kittery were not justifiable in assisting at his ordination." 
They advised Mr. Cleaveland's church to be reconciled with 
the Second Church. The ministers of the council present 
were Rev. Joseph Sewall, moderator, Benjamin Prescott, 
Nathaniel Appleton, William Holby and Andrew Elliot. 

A drouth of unusual severity is thus alluded to in the 
records of the "Newly Gathered Congregational Church 
in Chebacco," and the action of the church with reference 
to it thus expressed : 

" August 7. Whereas the frowns of God are manifestly upon us, not only 

in his withdrawal of spiritual showers, but also in his withholding the rain of 

heaven from the dry and thirsty ground, causing a melancholy drought : we 

do, therefore, look upon it as a very loud call to us to cull a solemn assembly 
•22 



170 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

for fasting and prayer, to confess our sins and the sins of the land and nation 
and of the whole earth, and beg mercy for the same, and we do appoint Tues- 
day next, the 9th instant, to be kept by us as a day of Fasting and Prayer." 

1749, January 3d. The second Parish voted to concur 
with the Second Church in the choice of Nehemiah Porter 
of the Hamlet Parish in this town to be their minister. 
Mr. Porter had previously supplied the pulpit for some 
time. His salary is £500 in Province Bills, to vary ac- 
cording to the price of certain specified articles, together 
with the use and income of the parsonage rights. In the 
list of articles, butter is put down at 7s. per pound, pork 
at 2s. 6d. and molasses at 20s. per gallon. Mr. Porter was 
ordained January 3d, of the next year but there is no 
record of the ordination services. 

It was during the session of our General Court this 
year, that an act was passed to redeem the Province Bills, 
by paying a Spanish milled dollar for every 45s. of the old 
tenor, or for every lis. 3d. of the new emission. As the 
bills had depreciated, and were no longer in the hands of 
the first holders, it was insisted that to redeem them at 
their original value would impose a new tax on the first 
holders themselves. The money by which they redeemed 
the bills was the specie remitted to them from the royal 
exchequer as a re-imbursement for their expenses in the 
capture of Louisburg. 

July 6th. Major Ammi Kuhami Wise, son of Rev. 
John Wise, died of fever, in Boston, in the sixty-first year 
of his age. He resided in Ipswich, and was a noted mer- 
chant. Justice of the Court of Sessions, and representative 
to the General Court in 1739 and 1740. In 1740 he also 
commanded a company of troops, in the expedition to the 
Spanish West Indies. 

1750. The Court of Sessions met here about this time 
for the purpose of opening a road to Manchester, from the 
corner near Thompson's Island, by the houses of William 
Low and Amos Andrews. Previous to this there had been 
a private way from Joshua Burnham's to William now 



1746—1774.] THE SIXTH PARISH. 171 

Warren Low's, with a gate at each end. This was now 
made a public road, and carried through the woods to 
Manchester. 

FORMATION OF THE SIXTH PARISH. 

1752. As parishes were territorial organizations, all 
persons residing within their limits were subject to taxa- 
tion by them for the current expenses of the parish. 
The members of Mr. Cleaveland's society were, therefore, 
obliged at first to carry a double burden, from which for 
a time they had sought release in vain. As late as Janu- 
ary 19, 1750, the Second Parish, in answer to their memo- 
rial " that they may not pay a tax levied on them by that 
body," said " We know no minister of their own regularly 
called and settled, either with respect to the laws of the 
Province, or the order of these churches." And although 
their petition to the General Court for an act of incorpo- 
ration had been sent in the very next year after the for- 
mation of the society, it was not granted until the 8th of 
December, 1752. Opposition to their request had now 
ceased, and having presented evidence that they had 
"come to an agreement with the standing part of the 
Second Parish," it was ordered that "the petitioners, being 
fifty-seven in number, with their families and estates be 
made a distinct and separate precinct." This organization 
took the name of the Sixth Parish in Ipswich, though con- 
nected with the Fourth Church, because soon after the 
formation of the latter. Line Brook and the South Parishes 
had been incorporated. 

Joseph Perkins, grandfather of the late John Perkins, 
was its clerk from its formation until its union with the 
Second Parish, and for most of that time its treasurer also. 
Its house of worship was erected this same year on the 
site of the present edifice of the North Congregational 
Church. It had the same shape as the second meeting- 
house, on the common, but had no turret or bell. It was 
built and owned at first by proprietors, but in April, 1761, 



172 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

was purchased of them by the parish. There is no record 
of its dedication. The congregation had worshiped in 
private houses, and a part of the time in Wilham Cogs- 
well's barn, until its completion. While our fixthers and 
mothers, too, were thus divided in their opinions as to the 
best mode of conducting the aifairs of the church, and had 
different places of worship, yet, as tradition testified to the 
author through the lips of the aged more than forty years 
ago, they were charitable and kind in their intercourse 
with each other, and such was their respect for the rights 
of conscience, that often the husband would convey his 
wife upon the same horse to one meeting, and then ride 
himself to the other, and when worship was ended, return 
to take up his conscientious spouse, that they might be 
one again in the domestic circle. 

1753. November 26th, died at Kingston, N. H., Rev. 
Benjamin Choate, M. A., aged 73. Mr. Choate was a native 
of this place, a son of John Choate, the first settler of that 
name, and a brother of Thomas Choate, the first resident 
of Hoo-D- Island. He was born in 1680, fitted for colleo-e in 
the Ipswich Grammar School, and was graduated at Har- 
vard College in 1703. He then spent some time in the 
study of theology, and was chaplain of the garrison at 
Deerfield for about two years from November, 1704. Soon 
after, he emigrated to Kingston, N. H., with the first set- 
tlers of that place, in the capacity of a preacher, and re- 
sided in garrison with them. There is a record on the 
town books, as early as 1707, of an agreement to pay Mr. 
Choate a salary, but the town was so much disturbed by 
Indian hostilities that he probably did not go there to 
reside permanently till 1713. He was ordained as an 
Evangelist before going to Kingston, and acted as minis- 
ter till 1720, when according to the records of that town, 
other preachers began to be employed. The church there 
was not organized till 1725. Rev. Ward Clark was the 
first pastor. From the year 1720 Mr. Choate was em- 
ployed as school-master by the town for many years, and 



1746—1774.] FRANCIS COGSWELL, ESQ. 173 

his name appears on the town books as moderator of town 
meetings, and as holding various other offices. 

1755. On the 18th of November, between the hours 
of four and five in the morning, there was a great earth- 
quake, whieli threw down stone walls and the tops of 
many chimneys, and bent the vanes on some of the 
steeples. It did much damage to many houses in this 
town. Its moral influence was felt in this place, as Mr. 
Cleaveland states in a pamphlet published soon after, 
awakening some to reflect on their ways, and from a con- 
viction of sin and guilt, to seek reconciliation with their 
God and Saviour. 

1756. January 21st, died Rev. Jeremiah Wise, eldest 
son of Rev. John Wise, aged 76. He was born in Che- 
bacco in 1680, graduated at Harvard College in 1700, 
studied theology with his father, and on the 26th of No- 
vember, 1707, was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
Church in South Berwick, Me. His ministry there con- 
tinued until his death. In a "sketch of eminent minis- 
ters of New England," published about the year 1765, he 
is spoken of as a man of learning, discretion, and of emi- 
nent piety — a prudent, faithful and useful minister in his 
day." Several of his sermons were published. 

March 9th, died Francis Cogswell, A. M., aged 58. He 
fitted for college at the Ipswich Grammar School, and 
graduated at Harvard College in 1718. March 14, 1728, 
he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John 
Rogers of Kittery, Me. Mr. Cogswell resided in Ipswich, 
and became a wealthy merchant. He represented the 
town in the General Court in 1750, 1751, and 1752. He 
was also a Justice of the Peace. 

A specimen of the newspaper reports of local intelli- 
gence is found in " The Boston News Letter " of October 
23d, of this year : 

" Last Tuesday, se'n night, a barn at Chebacco, in Ipswicli, was struck by 
lightning, and consun^ed, with all that was therein. A young man being at 
work in the field, observing the squall coming on, ran to tho barn for shelter ; 



174 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

but he had hardly got in before it was set on fire. 'Tis tho't he was in- 
stantly struck dead by the lightning ; and was burnt to a great degree before 
he could be got out." 

1757. An increase of interest in the cause of educa- 
tion is indicated by the erection of a new and more com- 
modious school-house in Chebacco. It was built " upon 
the site of the old one " (near Mr. W. H. Mears' house), 
was twenty-one feet in length, and eighteen in width, eight 
feet stud, and contained five windows. Its cost, <£250, old 
tenor, or about $25 in gold, was defrayed by "a subscrip- 
tion founding a school-house in Chebacco," made at a 
meeting held April 5th,^ at Mr. Joseph Perkins' house 
(which is still standing near Mr. John C. Choate's), and 
signed by seventy-four of the inhabitants. The care of 
the school-house w^as entrusted to a committee chosen 
annually by the subscribers or " proprietors." From the 
very full records of their meetings from this year until 
1801, it is ascertained that the teachers of this school 
were sometimes nominated by the proprietors and ap- 
pointed by the selectmen of the town, and sometimes 
chosen by the proprietors' committee, and that the aver- 
age length of the schools per year during the remainder 
of the century, was four months. It further appears that 
Chebacco's proportion of the money raised by the town 
for schools, and of the income of the school-lands, was 
expended for the support of this school, and that the 
session was often " lengthened out " by money raised by 
subscription. The wages of the teachers per month, so far 
as recorded, varied from $5.50 to $9.33. The latter sum 
was paid only when a " Latin teacher " was employed. 

That the "proprietors" early appreciated the importance 
of furnishing to all the children of the place the opportu- 
nity of entering upon a course of liberal education, is indi- 
cated by their vote, in 1764, that Latin should be taught 
in their school ; and by their instructing their committee 
" to employ as teacher some person capable of teaching it." 
Pelatiah Tingley was the first Latin teacher, during the 



1746—1774.] THE SECOND SCHOOL-HOUSE. 175 

Winter of 1764-5, and his successor, for the next two 
years, was Jonathan Searle, Jr. The use of the school- 
room, for a weekly singing-school through the Winter, 
was given by the proprietors in 1764, and for many years 
followino;. An evenino; school was also held first in 1765. 
Of eleven teachers of this school mentiond in the records, 
only three or four were natives of the place. One of these, 
Dea. Thomas Burnham, taught it eight years. Among the 
others were David Burnham, Jr., and Dr. Euss. After 
the erection of the first school-house at the Falls in 
176], and the first one on the south side of the river 
in 1779, the owners of what had been " the school-house 
in Chebacco " styled themselves " the Proprietors of the 
North School Division," or " the North School Society in 
Chebacco." 

In 1791 this North school-building was moved to a site 
near the location of the present engine-house, and con- 
tinued in use until 1801 — forty-four years in all. 

1758. Rev. Mr. Cleaveland enters the army this year 
as chaplain of the "Third Provincial regiment of foot." 
His commission under the signature of Gov. Pownal and 
Secretary Oliver, bears date 13th March, 1758. His or- 
ders were to join his regiment at Flat Bush, five miles 
above Albany. The whole army under Gen. Abercrombie, 
nine thousand Provincials and about seven thousand 
British Regulars, were to rendezvous at Albany, on the 
west bank of the Hudson. The field officers of his regi- 
ment, were Col. Bagley, Lieut. Col. Whitcomb^ Maj. Inger- 
soll. The staff" officers, John Cleaveland, chaplain,* Richard 
Sikes, adjutant, Caleb Rea, surgeon, William Taylor, quar- 
termaster. The fourth company in the regiment was 
commanded by Capt. Stephen Whipple of the Hamlet, 
First Lieut. Nathan Burnham, Second Lieut. Stephen Low, 
and Ensign Samuel Knowlton, all of Chebacco. In a let- 

* Bancroft makes mention of him in connection with this expedition of Aber- 
crombie as one of tliose " chaplains wlio preaclied to the regiments of citizen-soldiers 
a renewal of the days when Moses with the rod of God in his hand sent Joshua 
against Amalek." — Ilislory of United States, vol. 4, chap. 13. 



176 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

ter to his wife clcated at Capt. Van Bnren's, Flat Bush, New 
York, June 10,. 1758, he says : 

" I arrived here last night; had a very tedious route through unknown ways. 
We left Boston on Thursday, stopped at Spencer (Worcester Cot) and spent 
the Sabbath with Mr. Eaton, an eminent servant of Christ. Brother Eben- 
ezer Cleavelaud preached in the forenoon and I in the afternoon. Col. Bag- 
ley eatne up and attended service and then rode on to overtake his regiment. 
Oar Surgeon Dr. Rea, Ebenezer, and I went through Springfield to Sheffield 
where we came across the Connecticut forces in which was our brother Aaron. 
My health has been very good, though greatly fatigued with my ride upon 
my very dull horse. Uncommon health prevails throughout the army, and all 
are in good spirits, anxious to be doing something. Gen. Abercrombie and 
Lord How have gone before us to the Lake. We expect to be marching in 
a day or two. If God is for us we shall have success. The regiments dur- 
ing their march have all been very civil except the Marblehead company, 
whose conduct has been extremely bad. I am now performing the duty of 
Chaplain for Col. Ruggles' regiment, our own not having yet arrived. We 
have found the locusts in the wood through which we have come very noisy 
and annoying. Brother Ebenezer not having received his commission as 
chaplain was about to return ; but Col. Preble, whose chaplain, Mr. Little, had 
failed to come on, engaged brother to take his place." 

Some extracts from a journal, which Mr. Cleaveland kept 
during this campaign, may give us some idea of the pri- 
vations and hardships of a camp life, as well as of the 
events that then occurred : 

"June 15th. Col Bagley has arrived at Greenbush. He expresses a 
wish to be moving forward — says, two or three men in Col. Ruggles' and 
Col. Nichols' regiment are sick, and that he apprehends danger of small-pos 
from the constant visits made to the city (Albany). Col. Bagley's regiment 
is coming in ; and Capt. Whipple's company have all come — except Jacob 
Lufkin left behind disabled. Prayed with three or four companies of our 
regiment this evening. I am much pleased to meet our friends of Chebacco. 

" June 16th, Friday. This morning attended prayers with several com- 
panies of my regiment. 

" A sad affair has occurred in our regiment. Several persons in Capt. 
Morrow's company put under guard for killing some of our landlord's cattle. 

" 17th, Saturday. Attended prayers. Lieut. Col. Whitcomb was pres- 
ent for the first time. The Court-martial condemned three of the men who 
killed the cattle. Two of them were moderately whipped. 

"Sabbath, 18th. This day preached to a large and attentive auditory. 
Visited a sick man and prayed with him. 

"Tuesday 20th, at Schenectady. Think it well situated; about as large 



1746—1774.] ME. CLEAVELAND's CHAPLAINCY. 177 

as Charlestown. A stone Church — Dutch minister and Dutch residents. 
The regiment called to prayers at evening. Col. Bagley present for the first 
time. Col. B. has ordered the Captains to attend every day while they tarry 
here at 6 a. m. and 7 p. m. 

" 22d, Thursday. Last night orders arrived from Gen. Stanwix for the 
two companies of Col. Whiting that are in town, and for one company and 
half of another, in our regiment to march directly to Half-Moon. We at- 
tended prayers and then supped at our new lodgings, having dined with 
Dominie Vroom, the Dutch minister of the town. 

" 23d, Friday. Prayers delayed by reason that Col. Bagley gets orders 
to march towards Fort Edward. Officers and soldiers are pleased with the 
idea of joining the army. The Lord God be with us in all our marches and 
engagements. 

" 24th, Saturday. Gave a short word of exhortation to the soldiers. Mr. 
Johnson of Carisbrook was present and prayed. Soon after a soldier, while 
exercising in the Prussian way, unwittingly discharged his piece loaded with 
two balls. One man was killed, another wounded and another hit. At 
evening made a speech of some length as they were to march next day. 

'* 25th, Sabbath. After prayers, set out for Half-Moon, and arrived about 
sunsetting : a march of the best part of 20 miles. I cautioned the regiment 
in the morning to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ; and they did 
behave quite civil in general. But I never saw just such a Sabbath before. 
We took a long Sabbath day's journey for our march. At Half-Moon we 
found two Connecticut regiments. Col. Lyman's and Col. Wooster's. This 
night we encamped on the hai'd floor, with a blanket under us, and another 
upon us. 

" 26th, Monday. Very rainy. Tarried at Half-Moon all day. Wrote 
a letter to my wife and another to Francis Choate, Esq. Colonels Lyraan and 
Wooster marched off towards Fort Edward. 

" 27th, Tuesday. We set out and reached Stillwater about noon. There 
overtook Col. Wooster's regiment ; dined with Col. Wooster in the Fort. 

"28th, Wednesday. From Stillwater to Saratoga Fort; where we put 
up and tarried all night. Fourteen miles from Stillwater to Saratoga. 

" 29th, Thursday. Marched from Saratoga to Fort Miller, five miles ; and 
from there to Fort Edward, seven miles. Lodged in Commissary Tucker's 
tent, and fared well. 

" July 1st, Saturday. Having sent back my horse with sundry articles of 
clothing to Capt. Van Buren's, I set out on foot for Lake George. Dined at 
Half-Way Brook with Col. Nichols. Col. Cummings and Mr. Morril, the 
Chaplain reached the lake before sunset; somewhat fatigued, and lodged 
with Mr. Furbush, Col. Ruggles' chaplain. 

" 2d. Sabbath. Our regiment joined with the regiment of Col. Ruggles 
in the services of the day. Mr. Furbush preached in the forenoon from Exo- 
dus xvii., on Moses sending Joshua to fif>;ht ao-ainst Amalek, while he with 

the rod of God in his hand went upon the hill with Aaron and II ur. An 
23 



178 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

excellent sermon and well adapted. In the afternoon I preached to a large 
concourse from Ephesians vi. 18. There was remarkable attention in the 
assembly both parts of the day. 

" 3d. Prayers quite early this morning, because the regiment was to be 
viewed by the General at seven o'clock. Took my brother E. C. with me 
and visited John Brainerd, chaplain to Col. Johnston, of New Jersey regi- 
ment, Mr. Ogilvie, chaplain to the Regulars, Mr. Spencer of the New York 
regiments ; and in the afternoon went with the above chaplains except Ogilvie, 
to the Connecticu.t forces, where we had an agreeable interview with their 
four chaplains, Messrs. Beckwith, Eels, Poraroy and Ingersol, and agreed 
with them to go in a body the next morning and pay our compliments to his 
excellency. Gen. Abercrombie. Also agreed to spend some time in prayer. 

"4th, Tuesday. This morning after breakfast, Messrs. Beckwith, Eels, 
Pomroy, Ingersol, Brainerd, Spencer, Furbush, my brother and myself went 
to the General's tent and paid our compliments to him. Mr. Beckwith made 
a short speech or address to him in the name of the whole. He treated us 
very kindly, told us he hoped we would teach the people their duty and be 
courageous. • 

" This day we had orders to be in readiness to strike our tents at day-break, 
and be on board the bateaux at five in the morning." 

Mr. Cleaveland gives in his journal a pen-drawing of the 
northern extremity of Lake George, and of South Bay, 
showing the position of Ticonderoga, a fort, and the hne 
of the French entrenchments. But as we cannot copy 
this, we ask our young reader to look on the map, and he 
will see that Ticonderoga is on the west side of Lake 
Champlain, not far from the northern end of Lake George. 
Our army is now on the eastern side of Lake George. 
To reach Ticonderoga il^ must embark upon this Lake, 
sail down towards its northern extremity, and land on its 
west side. Let us take a view of the army just ready to 
embark ; a larger army of European descent than ever be- 
fore in America ; having for its object not a war of am- 
bition and opj)ression, but merely of self-defence ; at least 
so far as the colonies were concerned in it, whose sole de- 
sign was to subdue a foe that had for more than half a 
century stirred up the savage tribes, and brought them by 
stealth upon the homes of our fathers to butcher indis- 
criminately men, women and children. Assembled for 
this righteous cause, we see on the shore of the Lake nine 



1746—1774.] ME. CLEAVELAND'S JOUENAL. 179 

thousand provincial troops, and about seven thousand 
British Regulars. With the provincials, we see Maj. 
Rogers with his six hundred rangers, taken from the bold- 
est and hardiest of the yeomanry of the land, armed with 
firelock and. hatchet and carrying packs of twice the or- 
dinary weight. This whole armament is about to embark 
upon the beautiful lake, in nine hundred small boats, one 
hundred and thirty-five whale-boats, and the formidable 
train of artillery mounted upon rafts. But to return to 
Mr. Cleaveland's journal : 

" July 5th, Wednesday. At day-break the drums beat ' The General,' 
when the tents were immediately struck, and everything packed up and car- 
ried on board ; and by five we were rowing our bateaux. The whole army was 
upon the water; the Regulars in the middle column; Colonels Treble, Eug- 
gles, Bayley, and Williams on the right wing ; Gen. Lyman, Colonels Whiting, 
Fitch, and others, on the left ; the artillery in the rear of the main body ; and 
Col. Partridge, with the Royal Hunters, brought up the rear. The rangers 
were in the front. We rowed above twenty miles, and had orders to draw up 
with our bateaux to the western shore (to rest). We pitched our tents on the 
shore, and lay till about eleven o'clock, when orders came to go all on board, 
and row immediately to the narrows. 

" Gth, Thursday. By day-light arrived at the entrance of the narrows, 
where we halted till the whole army came up, and every regiment took his 
own place, according to the General's orders, and then orders came to row im- 
mediately up to the landing and land ; where we expected a very warm re- 
ception fi-om the enemy's advanced guard. My heart was much inclined to 
pour out desires to the God of heaven that he would appear for us, and in- 
timidate the enemy. And it is wonderful how God did appear for us ; for . 
though the enemy had four battalions in the advanced guard, and several 
cannon, yet by nine o'clock, in the morning we were all safely landed ; the 
French only fired a few small arms, wMch did no harm, and then ran off. 
But as they burned the bridges on the river, (the river which connects Lake 
George with Lake Champlain,) the army marched through the thick wood, to 
go round the bend of the river ; and when we had marched about two miles, 
we were attacked in front, by about 3000 French and Indians. At hearing 
the first fire. Col. Bayley's regiment in which I was, was ordered to form to the 
right and run up to the enemy. There was a very smart engagement for 
about one hour: My Lord How was killed ; and about 24 of our men were 
missing when we came into the camp, where we landed, and several were 
brought in wounded. We captured of the enemy 159, and it was judged, 
that we killed as many more of them. 

" 7th, Friday. This day they marched out again to build the bridges, so 



180 niSTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

as to march down the wagon-road and take possession of the saw-mills there, 
where the enemy have some small strength; and about the same hour, the 
army began their march to take possession of the ground near the fort ; and 
a little after sunset Gen. Johnson arrived with his regiment. What number 
of Indians he has brought, I cannot get intelligence. This night I lodged in 
a bateau and laid my head on the barrels. 

" 8th, Saturday. This morning Gen. Johnson with his Indians marched 
after the army, before sunrise, to Ticonderoga. This has been a most bloody 
fight. Our troops attempted to force the French entrenchments, with small 
arms, and met with great loss. Our men acted with the greatest intrepidity ; 
and one or two companies of the Highlanders and Regulars were almost en- 
tirely cut off. Many were slain, and many came in wounded. The number 
of both is not known ; but it is conjectured that a thousand are among the 
killed and wounded. Capt. Whipple received a ball in his thigh, which 
lodged there ; Lieut. Nathan Burnham received a mortal wound in his bowels, 
and Lieut. Stephen Low (both of Chebacco) was slain, as we suppose ; the 
last that was seen of him, he was sitting down, with a heavy wound. The 
conduct is thought to be marvellous strange, to order the entrenchment to 
be forced with small arms, when they had cannon not far off, and numbers 
sufficient to keep the enemy off till we had entrenched and placed our cannon 
and mortars so as to play upon the enemy. Most of our forces retreated 
towards the landing where the bateaux lay. 

"9th, Sabbath. This morning, to the general surprise of the whole 
army, we were ordered to embark in the bateaux, to leave the ground we had 
possessed, and return to Fort William Henry. We left the ground, at about 
nine o'clock in the morning, and arrived at Fort William Henry before sun- 
set. All dejected, partly on account of our returning, and partly on account 
of our being without much food for three days. This evening Lieut. Burn- 
ham (Nathan) was buried, having died upon the water, of his wound. I un- 
derstood he inquired much for me, and desired to see me before he died ; but 
I was in another bateau, and could not be found, the lake being full of them. 

" 10th, Monday. Orders are given out to make a return of the killed, 
wounded and missing ; which, according to the information I have had, amounts 
to eighteen or twenty hundred in the whole army, principally among the Reg- 
ulars and Highlanders. In Col. Bayley's regiment six were killed, two offi- 
cers and four privates ; eleven are wounded, including Capt. Whipple. I find 
people, officers and soldiers, astonished that we left the French ground, and 
commenting on the strange conduct in coming off. 

" 11th, Tuesday. Wrote a letter this day to my spouse, to be sent by Mr. 
Thompson. Whale-boats and bateaux, by order, unloaded. People begin to 
sicken, partly, perhaps, because they were scant of provisions, while down 
the Lake, and nothing to drink, but lake-water, and partly through dejection 
and discouragement, arising from disappointment. 

" 12th, Wednesday. This day wrote a letter to Col. Choate. Spent con- 
siderable time with Mr. Furbush, in reading and conversation. Towards 



1746—1774.] MR. CLEAVELAND'S JOUE^AL. 181 

evening, the General, witb his Kehohoam Counsellors, came on, to line out a 
fort on the Rocky Hill, where our breast-work was the last year. Now we 
begin to think strongly, that the Grand Expedition against Canada is laid 
aside, and a foundation is going to be laid, totally to impoverish our country." 

This apprehension of the journalist as to Abercrombie's 
design was well founded. Having in his fright after his 
repulse by the French, hurried back over Lake George to 
his former quarters on the south end of the Lake, he en- 
tirely abandoned his project of capturing Ticonderoga. 
He remained, however, in his quarters with his whole 
army through the rest of the Summer. Mr. C. continued 
his instructive and interesting journal, till his return in 
the Autumn, embracing sixty-nine pages. It would be 
desirable, if we had room, to give the whole of it. But a 
few more brief extracts must suffice : 

" 15th, Saturday. Much indisposed in body. This afternoon came in three 
deserters from Ticonderoga, who say there were but 3500 there, when we at- 
tacked their entrenchment. Had we forced them thence, their design was to 
betake themselves to their whale-boats, which lay ready, run down to Crown 
Point, lay it in ashes, and then repair to Chamblee, and there make their 
stand, where they could have relief from Canada. But our return saved them 
a deal of trouble. 

" 22d, Saturday. This morning Jonathan Marshall of Chebacco broke 
out with small-pox, and was sent to the Hospital at Fort Edward. The Lord 
prepare us for all his will. At 10 o'clock a. m., all the provincial chaplains 
that were at the Lake, met at Mr. Emerson's tent for prayer, and agreed to 
meet every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a. m., for prayer. This evening Col. 
Schuyler, and Mr. Clark taken at Oswego, and who came home last Fall on 
a furlough, set off from here with a flag of truce, consisting of twenty-one, 
with one French prisoner taken in 1755, to go to Ticonderoga, where the 
Col. and Mr. Clark design to resign themselves up to the French, the parole 
being ou.t. Also received this evening a letter from my wife, which informs , 
me of the near approach of her and my dear brother Nehemiah Dodge to the 
gates of death. The Lord appear for him, and give him to triumph over 
death and hell. Also at the same time received a letter from my good and 
cordial friend William Story of Boston. 

" 23d, Sabbath. This forenoon preached with some freedom from Mala- 
chi 1 : G. The people gave good attention, and many Regulars were present. 
Oh that God would" set the truths of the gospel home upon the hearts of all, 
that my heart may be encouraged, and my hands strengthened in tlie work of 
God ! Preaclicd again in the afternoon, from the same words, to a more nu- 



182 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

merous auditory, consisting not only of my own regiment, but of Eegulars 
and Highlanders. 

" 25th, Tuesday. This forenoon one of the Regulars was hanged for theft. 
He confessed on the ladder that gaming, robbery, theft and other sins had 
brought him to this shameful and untimely death, and warned his fellow-soldiers 
against such vices. He desired the prayers of the people standing by, for 
his poor soul, and praying for himself, was hove off the ladder. The Lord 
make this sad spectacle the means of effectually warning all from the bad 
vices that the soldiers are much addicted to." 

1760. Our fathers have this year a new king set over 
them. George II. died suddenly in the seventy-seventh 
year of his age and thirty-third of his reign ; and was suc- 
ceeded by his grandson, George III., who was the son of 
Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Augusta, Princess of Saxe- 
Gotha. His father died when he was young. George III. 
was our last sovereign. Sir Francis Bernard was our 
royal governor at this time. He commenced his admin- 
istration, August 2, 1760, and retired August 1768. His- 
tory says of him, that he was haughty, morose and tyran- 
ical. He left the administration of government in the 
hands of Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, Our rejDresentative this 
year was Col. John Choate. 

March 13th. The town vote that such private soldiers, 
as are in the war, exclusive of tradesmen and carpenters, 
shall be excused from their poll-tax. " A way is opened 
from North-gate by John Baker's through P. Kinsman's 
land, to Chebacco road." This is the road which, after 
passing Hafiield's bridge, leads us to the way conducting 
to the beach. 

The Quarterly Fast of the churches in Ipswich has its 
origin, this year, in this parish. Mr. Cleaveland's church 
" agreed to spend one day every quarter of the year, in a 
congregational fasting and praying for the outpouring of 
God's Spirit upon them, and upon all nations, agreeable to 
the concert of jDrayer first entered into in Scotland some 
years before." The First and South Churches and the 
church at the Hamlet, in the year 1780, began to unite in 
the observance of this Fast which from that time was held 



1746—1774]. FALLS SCHOOL-HOUSE. 183 

alternately in each of the four churches. It is indicative 
of stabilitv that a relisrious observance which commenced 
ninety-four years ago, (1854,) should still be maintained by 
these churches, all of them originally of the same town. 

1761. The town grant a lot of land for a school-house 
in Chebacco, near the limekiln. Tradition places this 
at the Falls, on the north-west side of the lane leading to 
Jacob Burnham's, near the entrance of this lane. A school 
had been taught there two months a year, after 1741, in 
a private house. The limekiln was beyond the school- 
house, and near the woods, for the convenience of pro- 
curing fuel. Lime was then made from clam-shells. Lay- 
ers of wood and shells were alternately placed in the 
kiln. After the burning, the powder from the shells was 
run through a sieve. The location of the school-house in 
this lane was then convenient to accommodate the fami- 
lies in the South End and near the woods, as well as at the 
Falls. This was the first school-house erected in that part 
of the town. Capt. William Story is said to have been the 
first teacher at the Falls. He was succeeded by Master 
David Burnham, who had taught in the North school. 

1762. Previous to this year there had been no public 
conveyance from Ipswich to Boston, The mail had been 
carried through IjDSwich in passing from Boston to Ports- 
mouth, on horseback, for several years before this, and con- 
tinued to be for several years after. It occupied six days 
in going and returning. But this year a curricle or stage- 
chair, as it was called, drawn by two horses, commenced 
running from Portsmouth to Boston through this town, 
for the accommodation of passengers here and elsewhere, 
occupying five days in going and. returning. The fare 
through, each way, was three dollars and ten cents. 

The drought this year was so excessive, that it cut off 
most of the hay and corn, an event very afflictive and dis- 
tressing at that time, because these articles could not then 
be procured from any other source. Their cattle, which 
they could but poorly spare, were many of them butchered 



184 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

for want of fodder, while they themselves were put to 
great inconvenience, if not to suffering, for want of bread. 
1763. A very remarkable revival of religion com- 
menced this year in Mr. Cleaveland's society, which re- 
sulted in the hopeful conversion of very many. About 
one hundred persons were added to the church. From a 
narrative of the revival, published by Mr. Cleaveland, 
we give the following brief extracts. After noticing the 
Quarterly Fast, the conference and prayer-meetings of the 
church, as preceding this revival and probably the means 
in the Divine hand of producing it, he proceeds to say : 

" Some time in the month of October, this year, the Rev. Francis Worces- 
ter came to preach to my people one Sabbath, and I supplied his place. He 
came early in the week, and preached several lectures before the Sabbath, 
and several after, and took his leave of us with a lecture to young people ; 
and as their attention had been aroused by his other discourses, several things 
in this took such a fast hold of their consciences that they could not shake 
them off. A little while after, I exchanged with the Rev. Samuel Chandler 
of Gloucester, and as he understood there were a number of persons under 
awakenings in my congregation, he adapted his discourses to their case, and 
his preaching that day was owned of God, for the begetting convictions in 
some and for increasing them in others. Their concern evidently increased, 
especially on the Monday evening before the anniversary Thanksgiving, which 
was on the 8th day of December. 

" The next day after Thanksgiving, we had a conference meeting, and a 
considerable number of the youth attended. On the succeeding Sabbath 
there was a very solemn assembly. I desired the distressed to come to my 
house the next evening. But on Monday, early in the day, many came, 
bowed down under a sense of their lost and perishing condition, and my house 
was filled all that day. Some found comfort before the evening, and by sun- 
set or a little after, so many resorted to my house that it could not hold them ; 
and we repaired to the meeting-house which was soon filled. On Tuesday my 
house was filled with persons wounded in spirit, and some in the greatest agony 
of distress in every room. This day and evening several persons received re- 
lief to their distressed souls. While my house this evening was thus filled, 
the Rev. Jonathan Parsons of Newburyport came in, having heard of the relig- 
ious concern here ; and a lecture was appointed to be the next day in the after- 
noon. On this occasion, Mr. Parsons preached a very suitable sermon. The 
meeting-house was full of people. People came from the parishes all around 
us. There was a solemn silence through the whole assembly, during the 
time of divine service, and a sacred awe on every countenance. As the peo- 
ple were now inclined to assemble for religious exercises, and their attention 



1746—1774.] REVIVAL OF RELIGIOIST. 185 

was roused, I appointed anotlier lecture to be on Friday, this week ; and 
from this time till the Spring business came on, we had two lectures in the 
meeting-house every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our meeting-house 
was crowded both on the Lord's day and on week days. 

" Divers persons from other towns and parishes were brought under con- 
cern, and several hopefully converted. Towards the last of February, twenty- 
two persons were added to the church. About a month after this we took 
into the church thirty-two more, and the whole number of those we admitted 
in the space of seven or eight months was upwards of ninety. In the ensu- 
ing Fall there was not only a considerable revival of those who had received 
comfort, but several new instances of hopeful conversion. As to the nature 
of this work, so far as it appeared, it consisted in the conviction of sin and 
righteousness, as the leading things ; conviction of sin brought them into 
distress, as by it they saw they were undone and perishing ; conviction of 
righteousness opened the door of hope and comfort to their souls, as by it 
they saw an all-fulness of supply in Christ the Mediator." 

1764. News arrived from England that the British Par- 
liament on the 10th of March passed an act for granting 
certain duties in America, which, after declaring that it was 
just and expedient to raise a revenue there, imposed duties 
on silks, sugar, wines, coffee and some other articles. This 
was justly considered by our fathers, as a blow aimed at 
their dearest rights. If our trade may be taxed, said the 
people of Boston, in the instructions which they gave 
their representatives, why not our lands ? — why not the 
products of our lands and everything we possess or use ? 
" Taxation without representation is tyranny," was the uni- 
versal watchword. The unrighteous and oppressive act, 
was the topic of conversation at every fireside, and the 
subject of universal reprobation. Meetings were held in 
different towns to express their disapprobation and to in- 
struct their representatives to remonstrate against, and 
petition for its repeal. Our fathers in this town had, on 
former occasions, when their liberties were threatened, 
given similar instructions to their representative. Nearly 
all the colonies in the country took the same ground 
against England, affirming that the imposition of duties 
and taxes, by the Parliament of Great Britain upon a peo- 
ple not represented in the House of Commons, was ab- 

24 



186 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

solutely irreconcilable with their rights. This was the 
same ground that was taken by Ipswich seventy-seven 
years before, for which Mr. Wise and some others were 
imprisoned and fined. 

As another connecting link between the present (1854) 
and nearly a hundred years ago, we may say that Parker, 
son of David, Jr., and Elizabeth Burnham, was baptized 
by Mr. Cleaveland, July 1st of this year. [Mr. Burnham 
died in 1856 aged 92.] 

1765. The British Parliament instead of rescinding 
any of their oppressive acts, add another still more odious. 
On the 22d of March the famous Stamp Act received the 
royal sanction. By this act most of the written instru- 
ments in legal affairs and in ordinary business, such as deeds, 
indentures, pamphlets, newspapers, advertisements and 
almanacs, were subject to tax. The news of this produced 
a strong sensation in almost every mind throughout the 
country. It evinced to our fathers a settled determination 
on the part of England to invade our rights and reduce us 
to a state of bondage. It was time therefore for them both 
to speak and to act in such a manner as to show an equally 
determined resolution, never to submit to such oppression. 
Our House of Representatives passed a resolution that it 
was expedient for the colonies, so agreeing, to meet by 
their respective delegates in a general Congress, to con- 
sult together on the present circumstances of the colonies ; 
and to consider a humble address to his Majesty and the 
Parliament for relief This measure originating in our 
town, as well as others, through their representatives, on 
being communicated to the colonies was received by most 
of them with cordial approbation ; and on the 7th of Oc- 
tober this Congress, the first ever held in America, met at 
New York, and agreed upon a memorial to the House of 
Lords, and a petition to the King and Commons. In these 
documents, they acknowledged their allegiance to his Maj- 
esty, and their readiness to obey the constitutional acts 
of Parliament ; but the stamp act and other acts of Parlia- 



1746—1774.] COL. JOHN CHOATE. 187 

ment, they declared to be subversive of the rights and 
liberties of the colonies, and in violation of the funda- 
mental principles of the British Constitution. The pro- 
ceedings of this Congress, though agreed to. only by the 
deputies of six colonies, yet were warmly approved in 
every part of the country, and soon received the sanction 
of the other colonies. 

In the meantime the people everywhere were deter- 
mined that none of the. stamps should be sold or used. 
The day on which the stamp act was to go into opera- 
tion — the first of November 1765 — was ushered in, in 
many places, by funeral processions, the tolling of bells, and 
hoisting colors of vessels at half mast. Business was sus- 
pended, and shops and stores closed. But by this time 
not a single sheet of all the bales of stamps sent from 
England, could be found in any of the colonies except 
Delaware, Virginia and Georgia. They had either been 
burnt, reshipped to England, or concealed and safely 
guarded by the royalists, through fear of the popular fury. 
The consequence was, that no business requiring stamp- 
paper could be legally transacted. To this, our fathers 
and mothers submitted as a less evil than slavery. Even 
their sons and daughters upon the eve of marriage chose 
to postpone it indefinitely rather than be married by 
stamped certificates of publishment. Courts of justice 
were shut, and an absolute stagnation in all the social re- 
lations of life prevailed. Printers of newspapers alone 
w^ent in the face of the royal edict, because they knew a 
worse thing than the penalty of the law would happen 
to them if they did not. When intelligence reached 
England of the state of things here, it produced a great 
sensation. Business there received a heavy blow from the 
suspension of business here. 

1766. March 10th, Col. John Choate departed this life 
at the age of 68. He was a son of Capt. Thomas Choate, 
the first settler of Hog Island and was born there in the 
year 1697. His parents were his early teachers, as they 



188 HISTOKT OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

were of all their children, faithfully and diligently instruct- 
ing them in the rudiments of learning, and the principles of 
morality and piety. John rose to much eminence in civil 
society. In addition to strong native talent, he possessed 
extensive information on civil, military and judicial affairs. 
He resided, after his marriage, in the center of the town, 
and represented the town at the General Court in 1731- 
2-3-5, 1741-2-3-5-6-7-8-9, 1754-7 and 1760. He was 
a member of the Governor's Council from 1761, to 1765 
inclusive. Justice of the Court of Sessions and Court of 
Common Pleas, and Judge of the Probate Court. When 
in 1764, the town and county bridge was rebuilt, he was 
chairman of the committee for that business. Under his 
direction chiefly, and upon a plan drafted by him, although 
he had never seen a bridge of that sort, it was built with 
two stone arches, resting on one solid pier in the middle 
of the river. On exhibiting the plan and during the 
progress of the work, the whole of which he superintended, 
many expressed strong doubts of its capability of sustain- 
ing any considerable weight, and some confidently pre- 
dicted that on the passing of the first loaded carriage, the 
arches would give way and fall into the river. Though 
confident himself of success, yet as the experiment was 
new, and there was a possibility of failure from some un- 
propitious circumstances, he deemed it wise to be pre- 
pared for the worst. Hence when the bridge was com- 
pleted, and many were gathered to witness the passage of 
the first loaded team, he stood, it is said, with his horse 
saddled and bridled, ready to mount, if the arches began 
to give way, and turn his back upon the prophets all ready 
to shout, " We told you so ! — we knew it could not stand ! " 
But victory was completely on his side. To the disappoint- 
ment of some, and the admiration of many, the arches 
never yielded to any pressure ; and the bridge, by order of 
the Court of Sessions, was labelled in durable letters which 
the traveler reads, " Choate bridge, hidlt in 1764." 

Col. Choate was eminent as a Christian, as well as a 



1746—1774.] KEY. NEHEMIAH POETEE. 189 

civilian and Jurist. To pnrity of morals, he added the wor- 
ship of God, and the honoring of his Eedeemer in obedi- 
ence to every gospel requirement. Morning and evening 
his house was the house of prayer. He was an active and 
useful member of the South Church under the ministry 
of the Rev. John Walley. By his talents, learning and 
usefulness, he did honor to the place of his birth ; of which 
we may say, that few islands of the same extent of terri- 
tory, with land enough for only three farms, have given 
birth to so many active, useful and distinguished men. 
Besides the many Christian fathers and mothers who live 
to bless the communities to which they emigrated, it num- 
bers among its children living or dead, an elder of the 
church, two pastors' wives, the wife of an eminent phy- 
sician, several justices of the peace, four representatives 
to the General Court, a judge of several courts, a justice 
of the Court of Sessions, a senator of the Commonwealth^ 
and a senator of the United States. 

This year the pastoral relation between the Rev. Nehe- 
miah Porter and the Second Church and Parish was dis- 
solved. Mr. Porter was born in Ipswich, March 20, 1720, 
at the Hamlet (now Hamilton.) He was prepared for 
college by his pastor, Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth, and gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1745. In the possession of the author 
is a Hebrew Lexicon, published in 1607, which was the 
property of Mr. Porter and contains his autograph with 
the date 1744. It doubtless formed a part of his appara- 
tus for study during the Senior year and it gives ample 
evidence of having been well thumbed. His first wife — 
Rebecca Chipman of Beverly — died in this place October 
28, 1763, aged 36. She left nine children. Rev. Charles 
S. Porter of South Boston is the son of one of them. 
Mr. Porter's pastorate in Chebacco lasted sixteen years. 
During the greater part of this time he lived very happily 
with his people. But for a few years before his dismis- 
sion, difficulties existed between them which rendered his 
situation more and more unpleasant, and occasioned sev- 



190 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

eral councils. In April of this year, referees mutually 
chosen by the parties, met here and decided that it was 
expedient for his connection with them to be dissolved if 
his parish pay him £340 L. M. which included arrearages 
of salary for a few of the past years. The parish com- 
plied, and in June he took his dismission. The same sum- 
mer he took passage in a vessel for Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 
where some emiorrants from this town resided. There he 
founded a Congregational Church which still lives and 
prospers. Having preached to that church several years, 
he returned to Massachusetts and was installed pastor of 
the church in Ashfield, December 21, 1774. 

" Being then about 54 years of age, some at the parish meeting for giving 
hira an invitation to settle, urged as an objection that on account of his age 
they could not expect to enjoy hira long, as their minister. But he sustained 
the pastoral relation with them forty five years, and for the most part of that 
long period was very active, and highly useful. He visited the people here 
■when nearly eighty, and conducted the services of worship both parts of the 
Sabbath. Even after a colleague pastor was settled in 1808, Mr. Porter 
did not entirely suspend his active labors though he was then in the eighty- 
eighth year of his age. He continued to preach occasionally for many years 
afterwards, and sometimes exhorted and prayed in public with edification to 
his hearers, until he reached his hundredth year. In June 1819 a second 
colleague was ordained. Memorable indeed were the novel and interesting 
scenes of that ordination day — the venerable appearance of the Senior Pas- 
for, bending under the weight of almost one hundred years, as he passed 
along the broad aisle leaning on his two staffs, the firm and steady step with 
which he ascended the pulpit stairs without aid, the fervency with which he 
engaged in the consecrating prayer, and the distinct, audible, and appropriate 
manner in which he addressed a few dying words to his beloved flock in the 
form of a charge. 

" As a preacher Mr. Porter sustained a very respectable character. If not 
a star of the first magnitude, yet he shone with a clearness and degree of 
lustre, which rendered him an ornament to the church. That divine light 
and truth which irradiated and sanctified his own soul, he diffused to the ut- 
most of his ability into the souls of others. The doctrines he had imbibed and 
firmly believed as the only foundation of his hope and comfort for time and 
eternity, were such asare emphatically called the doctrines of grace. These 
he labored to inculcate in all his preaching and exhortations. His sermons 
were always plain and simple, well calculated to instruct and impress the 
mind, and delivered with remarkable animation and pungency, and holy fer- 
vor. For several years before his death, religion was the constant theme of 



1746—1774.] BKITISH OPPRESSION. 191 

his conversation. It may be truly said that he preached daily to those who 
visited him in his own house. He spoke in a distinct voice, and with won- 
derful propriety of language. He .expressed great confidence in God ; and 
spoke of death with much composure. At nine o'clock p. m., February 29th, 
1820, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, having completed his hundredth year 
into one month. His funeral was attended on the following Friday, by the 
neighboring clergymen, and a numerous concourse of citizens. Rev. John 
Emerson of Conway preached an appropriate sermon from Psalms cxvi. 15."* 

The surviving descendants of Mr. Porter at the time of 
his decease were supposed to be upwards of two hundred 
and thirty in number. 

On the 19th of March, this year, the bill was passed in 
the British Parliament for repealing the American stamp 
act. This caused great joy in England. The vessels in 
the Thames displayed their colors, and the city of London 
was illuminated. But the joy here was greater still. The 
intelligence was received with acclamations of the most 
sincere and heartfelt gratitude by all classes of people. 
The bells were rung, and public thanksgivings were 
offered up in the churches. In the midst of their joy, 
however, they overlooked the declaratory act passed at 
the same time, that the British Parliament had the right 
to tax the colonies ; but their attention was soon turned 
to this by other oppressive acts of Parliament in relation 
to our trade. 

1767. The British Parliament in maintenance of their 
declared right to tax the colonies, levied duties upon 
glass, paper, pasteboard, white and red lead, painters' col- 
ors, and tea ; and passed an act establishing a new board 
of custom-house officers in America. These acts, when 
they reached the colonies, again excited universal alarm. 
It was seen at once, that new duties were only a new 
mode of drawing money from the colonies ; and the same 
determined opposition to the measure was exhibited, 
which had been shown to the stamp act. Their fears 
were still further increased by the arrival soon after, of a 
body of British troops in Boston^ which was hypocritically 

♦Boston Eeoorder, Vol. 5, No. 30. 



192 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

said to have been driven in, by stress of weather. The 
governor undertook to provide for their support out of 
the pubUc treasury. The conduct of the troops was such 
as to confirm the suspicions, that they were brought in by 
design. Our Legislature remonstrated with their usual 
firmness against the oppressive exactions of public money 
by the governor, and against the imposition of duties for 
the support of crown officers and the maintenance of 
troops among them. It was during this session that they 
passed a resolution, to address a circular letter to the other 
colonies, inviting them to a union, not of resistance to the 
mother country, but of remonstrance and petition for re- 
dress of grievances. 

1768. This circular letter which was sent February 
11th, created no little alarm in the British Cabinet, union 
and concert of action among the colonies being a pecu- 
liar object of dread to the ministers. The Earl of Hills- 
borough, therefore, wrote a letter expressive of his 
Majesty's displeasure, and requiring the House of this 
year to rescind the obnoxious resolution ; and directing 
the governor, in case of their refusal, to dissolve the Gen- 
eral Court. This letter, dated April 22d, the governor 
laid before the House, on the 21st of June. On the 30th 
of June the House voted not to rescind, 92 to 17. Our 
representative this year. Dr. John Calef, was unfortunately 
in the minority. Our fathers wide awake on the subject 
of liberty, kept a watchful eye on the representatives to 
see if they did their duty, and claimed the right in town 
meeting of approving or condemning, as the case might 
require. Accordingly they assembled on the 11th of Au- 
gust, and voted, that the town of Ipswich highly approve 
the conduct of those gentlemen of the late House of 
Representatives, who were for maintaining the rights and 
liberties of their constituents, and were against rescinding 
the resolves of a former House. Voted, that the thanks 
of the town be given to the worthy and much esteemed 
ninety-two gentlemen of the House of Representatives, 



1746—1774.] DONATION VISIT. 19.3 

for their firmness and steadiness in standing up for, and 
adhering to the just rights and liberties of the subject 
when it was required of them at the peril of their politi- 
cal existence, to rescind the resolves of the then former 
House of Representatives. The conduct of these ninety- 
two was highly applauded throughout the colonies. Dr. 
Calef recanted and made public confession, and was thus 
restored to the confidence of his townsmen, September 
19th. The town in compliance with a proposal of the 
selectmen of Boston, elect Michael Farley to represent 
them in a convention, to deliberate on constitutional 
measures to obtain redress of their grievances. This 
convention met in Boston, September 23d, and disclaim- 
ing legislative authority, petitioned the governor, ex- 
pressed its aversion to standing armies, to tumults and 
disorders, its readiness to assist in suppressing riots and 
preserving the peace : and after a short session dissolved. 

1769. June 27th, a visit is made to Mr. Cleaveland's 
house by 77 ladies. Such parties assembled at the par- 
sonage soon after breakfast. They brought flax and wheels 
with them and spun the whole day industriously, except 
the time for dinner and supper. At 11 o'clock A. m., such 
men of the Society as pleased came and paid their re- 
spects to the spinners. Among the presents made to the 
minister's family was all the yarn made at the meeting ; 
then very needful to supply them with homespun linen. 

1770. March 19th, the town voted that 

" We are determined to retrench all extravagances ; and that we will, to 
the utmost of our power, encourage our own manufactures ; and that we will 
not, by ourselves, or any for or under us, directly or indirectly, purchase any 
goods of the persons who have imported or continue to import, or of any 
trader who shall purchase any goods of said importers, contrary to the agree- 
ment of merchants in Boston and the other trading towns in this government 
and the neighboring colonies, until they make a public retraction, or a general 
importation takes place. And further, taking undir consideration the excess- 
ive use of tea, which has been such a bane to this country, voted, ihat we 
will abstain therefrom ourselves, and recommend the disuse of it in our families, 
until all the revenue acts are repealed." 



194 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

Our fathers were wise in barely recommending the dis- 
use of tea in their families, for if our mothers had not 
been as patriotic as their husbands, they could hardly have 
kept tea from their tables. But the women of that day, 
our fathers have told us, were not less patriotic than the 
men, and were ready to sacrifice all for the good of their 
country. Said a lady of ninety, not long before her recent 
death, " The oppression of the British, I well remember 
was an exciting topic of conversation at all our firesides, 
and in all companies : a subject into which the w^omen 
entered as zealously as the men, and all were ready to re- 
sist, even unto death." 

The importance of manufacturing their own clothing 
and other articles, was deeply, universally felt. In this 
way alone could they be free from a servile dependence 
on the mother-country. The growth of sheep was to be 
encouraged for the sake of their wool. No lambs were to 
be butchered. " We will eat no lamb, we will drink no 
tea, we will wear no mourning at funerals, we will dress 
wholly in home-spun," was the universal cry, the total- 
abstinence pledge of the day. Deer-skin furnished an im- 
portant article of clothing. But deer were becoming 
scarce in our woods at a time when they were much 
needed. Hence our fathers in town-meeting this year, 
voted that the deer-reeves of Ipswich join with those of 
other towns, to prevent these animals in Chebacco woods 
from being extirpated. Fishing was also much encour- 
aged among us. From twenty-five to thirty Chebacco 
boats with two men and a boy in each, went to Damaris 
Cove and brought their fish ashore here to be cured. 
Fish flakes were to be found on Hog Island, on Ware- 
house Island at the north end, on Thompson's Island, and 
at Clay Point. 

This year for the first time the people of Chebacco were 
favored with the residence of a physician among them. 
Dr. Ebenezer Davis, a young man, now commenced prac- 
tice here. After his marriage he lived in the " Pickering 



1746—1774.] TOWiV-MEETING. 195 

house." A few years later he removed to Squam Par- 
ish, Gloucester, and was succeeded here by Dr. Russ. 

1771, October 25th. Daniel Giddinge died, aged 67. 
He was an elder in the Fourth Church, and a representa- 
tive of the town in 1758. He left eight children. 

1772. A fever of the nervous putrid type commenced 
here, which continued for some time, and in its progress 
proved very fatal. It prevailed chiefly among the young. 
The most vigorous were the first to yield to it. It car- 
ried off in the whole, fifty persons. 

December 28th. A town-meeting is called to hear the 
report of a committee appointed at a previous meeting, 
in pursuance of a circular from Boston, urging upon the 
towns the importance of a unanimous expression of their 
feelings with regard to the conduct of the British minis- 
try, and the appointment of committees of correspond- 
ence. The report of the committee was unanimously 
adopted. It contained for substance a statement of their 
grievances, — that the governor and judges and board of 
commissioners of the customs were paid by the crown, 
and thus made independent of the Legislature, that regu- 
lar troops were posted in the Province, and taxes levied 
without the voice of the people. It declared their right 
to dispose of their property as they pleased, to petition 
the king and Parliament for a redress of grievances, and 
to continue so to do until redress should be granted. 

It affirmed that Parliament in assuming the right to 
tax the colonies, acted contrary to the opinions of emi- 
nent men in Parliament, as well as of the whole com- 
munity here ; made a full declaration of their firm attach- 
ment to his Majesty and his royal family, and of their 
desire to the utmost of their ability to support govern- 
ment, and promote quietness and good order, and at the 
same time not to submit to oppression, but to stand firmly 
for their rights. It instructed the representative of the 
town to use his influence that the governor and judges be 
paid by the Legislature and not by the crown ; and that 



196 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

an agent of the House be appointed to represent the con- 
dition of the Province to the king or his ministers ; and 
if the governor refuse to allow grants of the House for 
such an agent, that the House recommend to the several 
towns to pay the agent. A committee of correspondence 
was also chosen at this meeting. By these committees, 
the doings of the several towns were reported to the 
Boston committee, and by them sent abroad to similar 
committees in other colonies, and "thus a confidential in- 
terchange of opinion was kept up between the colonies. 
Great unity of sentiment was the consequence, and the 
value of the measure was fully developed in the struggle 
which afterwards ensued between the colonies and the 
parent country. '' When by royal power our Legislatures 
were dissolved or prorogued, our democratic town-meet- 
ings became, under God, the salvation of the country. 
Through them the people could both speak and act. 

1773. Parliament enact that the East India Company 
may export their teas to America, with a drawback of all 
the duties paid in England. By this regulation tea would 
be cheaper here than in England, and it was supposed that 
the colonists would be willing on this account, to pay the 
small duty levied upon it. Large quantities of tea, were, 
therefore, shipped to this country. Before its arrival, the 
inhabitants of the principal sea-ports determined that, if 
possible, it should not be even landed. 

When news was received in Ipswich, that the cargoes 
of tea which had arrived in Boston had been thrown over- 
board in the night-time by men disguised as Mohawk 
Indians, our fathers met in town-meeting, and voted : 

"1. That the inhabitants of this town have received real pleasure and 
satisfaction from the noble and spirited exertions of their brethren of Boston 
and other towns to prevent the landing of the detested tea, lately arrived 
there from the East India Company, subject to duty which goes to support 
persons not friendly to the interests of this Province. 

" 2. That they highly disapprove of the consignees of the East India 
Company, because of their equivocal answers to a respectable committee of 
Boston, and their refusal to comply with the wish of their countrymen. 



1746—1774.] UNION OF THE PARISHES. 197 

" 3. That every person who shall import tea, while the act for duty on it 
continues, shall be held as an enemy. 

"4. That no tea be sold in town, while this act is in force ; that if any 
one sell it here, he shall be deemed an enemy. 

" Voted that these resolves be sent to the committee of correspondence of 
Boston." 

1774. The two religious societies, after a separate ex- 
istence of more than twenty-eight years, are at length 
united and become one again under the name of the 
Second Church and Parish with the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland 
for their pastor. The choice of a committee by the Second 
Parish within three months after Mr. Porter's dismission 
" to treat with the Sixth Parish concerning a union of the 
two," and similar action on the part of the latter, soon 
after, the arrangement entered into less than two years 
later, March 12th 1768, to worship together, — half of the 
year in each meeting-house, a renewal of overtures by the 
Sixth Parish in 1769, and again in 1773, a further agree- 
ment in 1770, that the Second Parish should pay four- 
sevenths and the Sixth Parish three-sevenths of Mr. Cleave- 
land's salary, afford conclusive proof that there had been 
little if any personal alienation of feeling between the 
individual members of the two bodies. These measures 
also served to prepare the way for the formal and perfect 
union which was now to be effected, first, however, as was 
becoming, between the two churches. By invitation of 
the Fourth Church, in response to a proposal for union 
made by the Second Church on the 30th of March, 1774, 
a joint meeting of the two bodies " for conference relative 
to a union " was held at the " Centre school-house " on the 
8th of April, at which each church passed a unanimous 
vote " to bury forever as a church all former differences 
between them and the other church, and to acknowledge 
the other a sister church in charity and fellowship." At 
an adjourned meeting at the same place, on the first 
Monday in June, each church "voted to unite in calling 
an ecclesiastical council to assist and advise the two 
churches in uniting in one ; " and in this action the two 



198 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

parishes concurred on the 1st of July. Five churches 
were represented on this council — the first, third (Hamlet), 
South and Line-brook churches in Ipswich, and the church 
in Byfield. It convened on the 4th of October at " the 
new meeting-house." Rev. Mr. Leslie of Byfield was its 
moderator, and Rev. Joseph Dana, scribe. On considera- 
tion of the question "whether the way was clear to pro- 
ceed to the act of uniting the two churches agreeably to 
their desire," it was found that the Fourth Church had 
given offence to the church in Manchester by admitting 
to communion some members of that church resident in 
Chebacco who were under censure, and it was therefore 
deemed advisable "for the peace and harmony of the 
churches " to request the Manchester church, if they think 
proper, to state whether they had any objection to this 
union. At the adjourned session of the council on the 
25th of the same month, the Manchester church, through a 
committee, signified their approval of the proposed union, 
on certain conditions which were referred to the Fourth 
Church and accepted by them. This reconciliation hav- 
ing been effected, the council next appointed a committee 
to draw up a plan of union, articles of faith and a cove- 
nant. On the afternoon of the next day, the plan reported 
by the committee, having been unanimously accepted and 
recommended "as a proper plan of union all things consid- 
ered," was distinctly read to both churches, unanimously 
accepted by them, and subscribed in the presence of the 
council by Dea. Seth Story, moderator, and five other 
brethren of the Second Church, and the pastor and twenty- 
two brethren of the Fourth Cliurch. This compact was 
as follows : 

" Heads of Agreement for uniting the Second and Fourth Churches 
of Ipswich into one Congregational Churchy come itito, m the pres- 
ence of a Council of Churches.''^ 
"1. We, the Second and Fourth Churches of Ipswich, covenant and agree 

to become one Congregational Church, under the name or style of the Second 

Church of Ipswich. 



174G— 1774.] UmOX OF THE CHURCHES. 199 

"2. We covenant aud agree that, by the act of union, this united church 
shall be entitled to all the rights, powers and privileges which belonged to 
each church before the union, that is to say : The officers of each church, 
whether pastor, ruling-elders, or deacons, shall, by the act of union, become 
the officers of the united church ; And the church vessels and furniture for 
the Holy Communion, and every other peculiar privilege and grant what- 
soever, made or belonging to either, said Second Church or the said Fourth 
Church, shall be the property of this united church, under the name or style 
of the Second Church in Ipswich as aforesaid. 

" 3» We covenant and agree to receive the word of God contained in the 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be our absolute and only rule 
relative to the doctrines of feith, the worship of God, church-government and 
discipline, all relative duties, and a virtuous life and conversation. 

"4. As we aim to be a true Protestant Church in our united state, we cov- 
enant and agree to profess unity of faith with the Protestant church in general, 
by adopting that system of Christian doctrine held forth in the Westminster 
shorter catechism and the New England Confession of Faith ; it being a sound 
orthodox system or summary of Scripture doctrine, according to our under- 
standing of the word of God. 

"5. And, as we aim to be a strictly Gongregational Church in point of 
church-government and discipline in our united state, we covenant and agree 
to adhere to the platform of church-government and discipline drawn up by a 
synod at Cambridge in New England, A. D. 1648, as containing our senti- 
ments in the general, relative to a church-state, its power, its officers, their 
ordination, the qualifications for clmrch-mcmbership, admission of members, 
the communion of churches, &c., &c., — in a word relative to church-govern- 
ment in general. 

" And now, as a visible political union among a number of visible saints 
is necessary to constitute them a particular Congregational Church, and this 
political union or essential form is a visible covenant, agreement or consent, 
whereby they give up themselves to the Lord to the observing of the ordi- 
nances of Christ together in the same society ; so a visible political union be- 
tween us as churches is necessary to constitute us one particular Congrega- 
tional Church : 

" Wherefore, we, the Second and Fourth Churches of Ipswich, having 
agreed to become one united Church of Jesus Christ for the worship of God 
and the observing of his ordinances together in the same society, and having 
before as distinct Churches covenanted with God and one another in a dis- 
tinct covenant respectively, do now as churches, consistent with sacred re- 
gard thereto, covenant together to be one church of Jesus Christ, and sol- 
emnly renew covenant with God in Christ to- walk and worship togetlier as 
one body, by signing together the following form or coVcnant which is in 
substance the same as is understood to be the original covenant of the Second 
Church of Ipswich, in which it (that is the Second Church) was founded. 



200 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 3. 

" In testimony of our holy resolution in the strength of Christ to stand 
and walk together in the fellowship of the Gospel, in a careful observance of 
this covenant and the foregoing heads of agreement, we not only call Heaven 
and Earth to witness, but set our names hereunto, in the presence of an 
Ecclesiastical Council, this 26th day of October, 1774." 

" It was then desired that if any of the congregation had aught to object 
to the articles, they would signify it. There was no objection. Thereupon 
the moderator, in the name and by the unanimous vote of the council, saluted 
the Brethren as a united church by the name of the Second Church in Ips- 
wich, and gave the right hand of fellowship to them as a sister Church; also 
gave the right hand. of fellowship to the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland as Pastor of 
the united church, and the other Elders of the council, did the same. The 
united church voted their thanks to the council, and the business of the day 
was concluded with singing the one hundred and thirty-third and a part of the 
one hundred and twenty-second Psalms, and with prayer by the moderator."* 

Before the union of the two churches, the following 
officers had died : of the Second Church, Dea. John An- 
drews, March 25, 1753 ; Dea. Zechariah Story, February 
16, 1774, aged 90 ;— of the Fourth Church: Elder Daniel 
Giddinge, October, 1771. The officers of the united 
clmrch (all of both churches continuing in office), were : 
elders, Francis Choate, Eleazer Craft ; deacons, Seth Story, 
Solomon Giddinge, Stephen Choate, Thomas 13urnham. 
The additions to the Second Church during this period of 
separation nmubered 23, to the Fourth Church, 155. 

The two jmrishes did not become legally united until 
the next year. On the 23d of January, 1775, a committee 
was chosen by each, to prepare " conditions of union." 
The terms proposed by this joint committee were adopted 
by both jDarishes, March 2d, and a " petition to the General 
Court for a confirmation of said union," was prepared, ac- 
cepted March 29th, and sent to Boston by a joint commit- 
tee. On the 10th of April, " the General Court passed an 
act uniting the Second and Sixth Parishes into one, to be 
called the Second Parish." The united con o-re oration con- 
tinned to worship half the year in each meeting-house, 
until the present one was built. 

* Church Records. 



CHAPTER lY. 

1774—1800. 
TO THE CLOSE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 

1774. While thus engaged in the work of perfecting 
union among themselves in rehgious matters, the people 
of Chebacco were by no means indifferent to the further 
encroachments made upon their political rights during 
this same most eventful year, nor did they fail to do their 
part in the preparations made for resistance. They fully 
shared in the universal indignation, excited by the news, 
received in the Spring, of acts of Parliament, closing the 
port of Boston against all trade ; altering the charter of 
their Province, so as to make the appointment of the 
Council, justices, judges, sheriffs and even jurors, depend- 
ent upon the king, or his agent ; forbidding all town-meet- 
ings except the annual meeting, without leave of the 
Governor in writing, and a statement of the special busi- 
ness proposed to be done ; authorizing the Governor, with 
advice of the Council, to send any person for trial to any 
other colony, or to Great Britain, for any act in violation 
of the laws of the revenue ; and of the appointment 
of Gen. Gage, with almost unlimited powers, not only as 
Governor, but also Commander of his Majesty's forces in 
America. With the rest of the Province, they regarded 
the election by their House of Representatives of five of 
its members, as delegates to a Continental Congress to 
meet in Philadelphia in September, as by far the most im- 
portant business transacted by that body, at its first ses- 
sion under the new governor, on the 25th pf May. 

The toicn meetings, which were held from month to 
iilonth on account of the dark and threatening aspect of 

26 



202 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

the times, our fathers in this parish were not at all back- 
jvard to attend, especially as they were led on in the way 
of duty by their pastor, who was full of patriotic zeal, and 
ready to make any sacrifice for the cause of liberty. On 
the 29th of August, delegates were elected by the town 
to a county convention to meet at Ipswich September 6th, 
" to concert measures in these distressed times." This con- 
vention passed several resolutions, recommending peace- 
able measures as long as they would answer, but a resort 
to arms as preferable to slavery ; and such measures of 
defense as might make resistance, if it must come, more 
successful. 

On the 26th of September the town met to give in- 
structions to their representatives to the General Court, 
which had been ordered by the Governor to convene 
again at Salem, October 5th. The patriotic language in 
which they addressed their representatives on that occa- 
sion is as follows : 

" As it is a clay of mueli darkness, this Province in particular suffering 
under ministerial vengeance, it requires wisdom and firmness so to act, as by 
the blessing of God, to convince our enemies, that we shall stand for our 
rights. We instruct you not to countenance that unconstitutional council 
appointed by the king, in submitting to act with them in one particular, and 
that, if the governor will not allow the council chosen by the people to sit as 
the second branch of the Legislature, that you do not proceed to do one 
single act, unless it be to pass such resolves as may be judged necessary to 
attest your abhorrence of slavery, and all attempts that but serve to have a 
tendency that way. We agree with the advice given by a Congress of this 
country, that a provincial Congress be formed and meet together to consult 
on what is to be done by this people as a body ; and we would have you 
unite with such a Congress. We think it would be better to have each town 
send more persons to this Congress, than the law allows representatives to 
the General Court, and we would have you exert yourselves for this." 

The House of Representatives, though the governor 
had changed his mind and by proclamation forbidden it to 
assemble, met at Salem, resolved itself into a Provincial 
Congress, and adjourned to Concord. There, October 26th, 
they took a step decisive of war. This was the organiza- 
tion of the militia, consisting of all the able-bodied men 



1774—1800.] MILITAEY COMPANY. 203 

of the colony, and the election of general officers. They 
also constituted one-fourth of the militia minute-men to 
be frequently drilled and held in readiness for service at a 
minuie's warning. Before the close of the year, the busy 
note of preparation resounded throughout the whole 
Province. The committee of safety were indefatigable, 
in providing for the most vigorous defense in the Spring — 
procuring all sorts of military supplies for the service of 
twelve thousand men, and every town was active in carry- 
ing out their plans. 

In Chebacco a military company of foot, consisting of 
68 men, was formed. The meeting for organization was 
held on the 20th of December. Lieut. Jacob Story was 
chosen chairman and Rev. John Cleaveland clerk. Before 
proceeding to the election of officers the following pre- 
amble and resolutions were passed unanimously : 

" We, the training Company of Chebacco, in Ipswich, being assembled to 
choose Military Officers for the said Company agreeable to the advice of the 
late Provincial Congress, this 20th Day of December, A. D. 1774, previous 
to our proceeding to the choice of said Officers, think it proper to enter into 
the following Resolutions, viz : • 

"1. Resolved, That the persons who shall be chosen by the majority of 
the training Band now assembled, shall be military Officers of the company 
in this place, in case they accept of the choice, till others shall be chosen or 
appointed in their Room. 

"2. Resolved, That the officers, who shall be chosen and shall accept of 
the choice, shall hold themselves obliged to inform themselves well into the 
military Art and Discipline, and to use their best Endeavors to teach the 
company in this place the military Art and Discipline, by frequently callino- 
them together to exercise them in the way ordered by his Majesty in 1674; 
also, in obedience to their superior Officers appointed agreeable to the advice 
of the Provincial Congress, to send us forth to action in the Field of Battle 
in Defence of our constitutional privileges, whensoever there shall be a mani- 
fest call for it against our common Enemies. 

" 3. Resolved, That, in case of manifest Failure of performing the Du- 
ties of their office as hinted at in the above Resolutions in any or either 
of the officers that shall be chosen, we reserve the power in our hands of 
dropping such delinquent officer or officers, and of choosing others in their 
room. 

" 4. Resolved, That we will yield such Obedience to the commands of 
the Officers that shall be chosen, and shall accept of the choice, as the pro- 



204 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

vincial Laws respecting the Militia require ; and submit to such punishments, 
in case of Delinquency in us, as the said Laws also require. 

" These resolutions being read once and again, the chairman put them to 
vote one by one to the Training Band, and all four of the above Resolutions 
unanimously passed in the affirmative. 

"Attest, John Cleaveland, Clerk of said meeting J ^ 

The officers elected were as follows : Jonathan Cogs- 
well, Jr., Captain ; David Low, Lieutenant ; Francis Per- 
kins, Ensign. The record of the transactions of this 
meeting in the hand-writing of Mr. Cleaveland, was pre- 
served bj Capt. (afterwards Col.) Cogswell, and is still 
extant. 

1775. January 3d, the inhabitants of the town met 
and chose Michael Farley to represent them in the Pro- 
vincial Congress to be held at Cambridge on the 1st of 
February. January 19th, they met again to instruct their 
representative : 

"1. To use his influence so that Congress may appoint an early Fast be- 
cause of degeneracy from the good ways of our fathers, and of increasing 
wickedness and infidelity in Great Britain. 

"2. To inquire if any towns have neglected the resolves of the Provin- 
cial Congress, and if so to publish them : and if any persons have not com- 
plied with association agreement, to have their names advertised. 

"3. While enemies among ourselves say, that we are seeking after inde- 
pendence, when we are not, endeavor that the Congress alter the Government, 
so as to agree with our last charter. 

"4. We approve of the wise recommendations of the late Provincial 
Congress, as to our manufactures We should like some particular method 
pointed out for promoting them.'' 

As our fathers say at this town meeting, revolution and 
independence were not what they were seeking, but re- 
dress of grievances. Amelioration of treatment for the 
present, and assurance of kindness in future, were all that 
the colonies asked of Great Britain. But what they sought 
was not granted. Instead of any redress, coercive meas- 
ures were threatened. After the first blood in the open- 
ing of this great drama had been shed by the British, in 
the battle of Lexington, on the 19th of April, our fathers 
had no longer any doubt what course to pursue. About 



1774—1800.] THE IPSWICH FRIGHT. 205 

thirty thousand militia were soon assembled in the neigh- 
borhood of Boston, ready to do justice to themselves and 
their country. 

On the 21st of April, two days after the battle of Lex- 
ino;ton, a scene of terror and confusion was witnessed in 
this town, which extended itself to several of the neigh- 
boring towns and has since been called, " The Great Ips- 
wich Fright." The news of the Lexington fight in all its 
exaggerated details, had just been received. Terrible 
stories of the atrocities committed by the dreaded " Reg- 
ulars " had been related, and it was believed that nothing 
short of a general extermination of the patriots, — men, 
women, and children, — was contemplated by the British 
commander. Under this excitement, a rumor which no 
one attempted to trace or authenticate, was spread from 
house to house, that the British had landed, and were 
marching upon the town. The terror was indescribable. 
What should they do ? Defence was out of the question, 
as all the young and able-bodied men of the town and of 
the entire region had marched to Cambridge. No relief 
was left them but in flight. All that could, left their 
houses and fled from the town. Almost simultaneously 
the people of Beverly were smitten with the same terror. 
How the rumor was communicated no one could tell. It 
was there believed that the enemy had fallen upon Ips- 
wich, and massacred the inhabitants without regard to age 
or sex. As our people ran northerly for safety, they found 
that the rumor had gone before them, and that the people 
of Rowley had run to Ne-^bury, and the people of New- 
bury to Salisbury ; and the fright extended up the river 
as far as Haverhill, whose inhabitants fled across the river 
in boats to Bradford. It was not till the next morning 
that the fugitives were undeceived. Such of our town's 
people as could not, or would not, leave their homes, be- 
came convinced that the terrible rumor was wholly un- 
founded. A young man from Exeter, who happened to 
be in town, mounted his horse, and followed after the fly- 



206 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

ing multitude, undeceiving all whom he overtook, and 
thus before the next night, they were all quietly lodged 
again in their homes. 

Soon after the battle of Lexington, the Continental Con- 
gress again assembled at Philadelphia. By a unanimous 
vote of this body, George Washington, then a member of 
Congress, was appointed, June 15th, Commander-in-Chief 
of the army then raised, or to be raised, for the defence of 
American liberty. Before his arrival at the camp in Cam- 
bridge, General Ward had the command of the army. The 
troops had been together now nearly two months, and were 
impatient for some action against the British. Col. Prescott 
was sent on the 16th of June, with a detachment of about 
a thousand men, to occupy a station on Bunker's Hill. 
On viewing the eminence he saw at once that it was an 
unsuitable spot, and looking along to the right, he found 
that a spur of that hill now called Breed's Hill was the 
most proper situation in every respect for a battle-ground. 
There he threw up a temporary fortification ; and having, 
on the morning of the 17th, been reinforced by several 
hundred men, making the whole force about seventeen 
hundred, he was attacked and driven from the hill by 
three or four thousand of the British. Of the men from 
this parish who were in that battle, the names of six are 
known : James Andrews, (father of the late Israel An- 
drews,) Benjamin Burnham (father of the late Abner 
Burnham), Nehemiah Choate, Aaron Perkins, Jesse Story 
Jr., a minor,* (brother of the late Ephraim Story,) who 
was killed, and Francis Burnham (a brother of the late 
Capt. Nathaniel Burnham), who was wounded. Two Che- 
bacco boys, Aaron Low and Samuel Procter, belonged to 
a Gloucester company which reached Cambridge on the 

*In the House of Eepresentatives — "Resolved that there be paid out of the 
public Treasury of this State to Jesse Story of Cliebacco in Ipswich (father of 
Jesse Story Jr., under 21 years of age) the sum of £5. 15s. in full for the loss he 
sustained in arms, ammunition and wearing apparel by the death of his said son 
who was killed at the battle of Bunker's Hill, as will appear in the account and 
certificate." — Records of General Court. 



1774—1800.] FRANCIS BURNHAM. 207 

afternoon of the 16tli, and were at work all that night 
leaking cartridges. 

Francis Burnhain's father lived in the old mansion near 
the ancient grist-mill at the Falls. We will call and hear 
from him the particulars of the battle : 

" We began our march," he says, " from the camp about nine o'clock in 
the evening, and on reaching Bunker's Hill we lay upon our arms, till our 
Colonel, with his engineers, had fixed upon the spot for a fort. We were 
then set at work to gather up what materials we could, suitable for a fortifica- 
tion, and first built a redoubt, as it was called, about one hundred and forty 
or fifty feet square, with two open passages. On the left of the redoubt run- 
ning north-easterly, we made a solid wall of sods, four feet high, for a breast- 
work.. From this breastwork we built a line of rail-fence, and parallel to it 
a post-fence with four feet of space between them. This space we filled up 
with new mown grass ; treading it down so that it made quite as good a 
screen for us, as the redoubt or the breastwork of sods. Early the next 
morning a British ship of war began a cannonade upon us, but without any 
damage. Very soon the battery on Copp's Hill was opened against us, 
and the first shot killed one of our men ; but what is very remarkable, though 
the roar of cannon from this battery was incessant, yet no further damage 
was done by it. The next motion of the enemy that we discovered, was the 
landing at Morton's Point of ten companies of grenadiers and ten of light 
infantry with some artillery. They spent some little time in reconnoitering 
our position, and then sent some of their officers back to Boston. In an 
hour or two they came back with more troops. Though at first much supe- 
rior to us in force, yet it seems they were afraid to advance. This gave us 
more confidence in our fortifications. About three in the afternoon they be- 
gan to advance up the hill, halting occasionally to let us see what their 
artillery could do, but the angle of elevation was such that it did us but 
little harm. We had no ammunition to waste, for we had a scanty supply at 
best. We were ordered to put four buckshots to a bullet, and not to fire till 
they were within point-blank shot distance. They continued to approach us 
with a steady column and firm step, till we could see the whites of their eyes 
and then we poured in upon them a most destructive fire. The effect was 
tremendous. Their whole line was broken in confusion. We had ample 
time after we had loaded again, to see the blood flowing down the hill from 
the great number killed and wounded. At length they formed and advanced 
towards us again, but not with the same resolute step. We kept cool and 
waited as before, till every shot should tell, and then mowed them down like 
grass. Their line was broken into greater confusion than before, and it was 
some time before the officers could get them to rally. By this time the whole 
of Charlestown, about four hundred houses, was all in a blaze. This we 
supposed the British did from revenge, and to terrify us. We expected to 



208 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

have to retreat soon, for most of our ammunition was gone, and but few of 
us had bayonets. They did not, however, dare to come up as before. A 
portion of them took a circuitous route to the south side of our hill, and soon 
scaled our works. We were now attacked on both sides, and the contest 
became very hot. Story and I were side by side, when a ball struck his 
head, his brains flew into my face and he fell back into the ditch, which ran 
along behind the fence. Another shot gave me a slight wound upon the 
shoulder, which made me stop for a few moments to get breath. A boy was 
standing not far from me, by the side of his father. When his father was just 
ready to apply the lighted torch to a cannon, a shot struck him and he in- 
stantly fell. The boy at once seized the torch from his father's hand and 
touched off the cannon, which did great execution upon the enemy. But 
after fighting awhile under the greatest disadvantage, we had to retreat, and 
more of our men fell while retreating, than when standing at the breastworks. 
Providentially for us, a fine, large company of Connecticut troops that had 
not been in the hottest of the action, moved up in good order near Mystic 
River and covered our retreat. One thing I forgot to mention, which was 
greatly in our favor. The wind blowing strong from the west, drove all the 
smoke directly into the face of our enemy, but as it rose a little above them 
we could ,see under the cloud, and point our guns breast-high." 

The minister of this parish is chaplain of Col. Little's 
regiment — "the 17th Foot, Continental army — enlisted 
July 1, 1775," at Cambridge. He practiced as he preached. 
It was remarked to the author by aged people, forty years 
ago, that Mr. Cleaveland preached all the men of his 
parish into the army, and then went himself Three of 
his four sons were in the service for a longer or shorter 
time. One of them, Nehemiah, enlisted in his sixteenth 
year, and served in the army investing Boston, and, at a 
later period, in New Jersey and at West Point. " Not 
only by his professional services as Chaplain, but by vari- 
ous contributions to newspapers, he did much to encourage 
and further the great enterprise which had its issue in our 
national independence." 

From printed documents it appears that Ipswich fur- 
nished more men for the army this year than any other 
town in the county except Salem. 

On the 9th of August, the Falcon sloop-of-war, having 
chased an American vessel into Gloucester harbor, dis- 
patched three boats with about forty men, to bring her off, 



1774—1800.] POST-OFFICE. 209 

when the party were so warmly received by the militia, 
who had collected on the shore, that the captain thought 
it necessary to send a reinforcement, and to commence can- 
nonading the town. A very smart action ensued, which was 
kej)t up for several hours, but resulted in the complete de- 
feat of the assailants, leaving upwards of thirty prisoners 
in the hands of the Americans. Many people there were so 
alarmed at the approach of the enemy that they fled with 
their valuables into the interior. Some only came as far 
as this place, bringing silver plate and other valuables with 
them, and tarried awhile until the danger seemed to be 
over. For the defence and protection of the coast of Cape 
Ann, a force of militia from the more inland towns was 
drafted, to be stationed there. On their march thither 
they passed through Chebacco, halted and were paraded 
on the common (near the present North meeting-house), 
where they received their Chebacco fellow-soldiers. On 
this occasion, a prayer was offered by the ardent and pa- 
triotic Cleaveland. While he was praying in his stentorian 
voice " that the enemy might be blown " — " to hell and 
damnation," loudly interrupted an excited soldier — "to the 
land of tyranny from whence they came," continued the 
undisturbed chaplain, without altering his tone or appar- 
ently noticing the interruption. 

The Continental Congress this year established a line 
of posts, from Falmouth (now Portland) in New England 
to Savannah in Georgia, and unanimously appointed Ben- 
jamin Franklin postmaster-general. The Provincial Con- 
gress had before this, in the month of May, appointed a 
post-office for Ipswich, and James Foster postmaster. 
This was the first post-office ever opened in Ipswich. 
The year before, a stage with four horses commenced run- 
ning twice a week, from Newburyport through Ipswich to 
Boston : which was a great improvement upon the open 
stage-chair running once a week only from Portsmouth to 
Boston. 

1776. The Massachusetts militia in Washino:toii's 

27 



210 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4 

near Boston, in which Chebacco was well represented, had 
increased on the first of March to about six thousand, and 
in the work of fortifying Dorchester heights, on the night 
of March 4th,. which compelled the evacuation of Boston 
by the British, our men bore their full share. 

At this stage of the war it began to be seen that some- 
thing must be done upon the water, as well as upon the 
land, to guard the sea-coast and make reprisals upon the 
enemy's property upon the ocean. Our Provincial Con- 
gress encouraged the fitting out of private armed ves- 
sels, which were very successful in capturing British 
vessels, containing merchandise, provisions and ammuni- 
tion. Some of our best merchants and sea-captains were 
engaged in the business, under authority of government. 
It was with some reference to nautical afiairs, probably, 
as well as to other measures of safety and defence;, that 
the inhabitants of this town on the 24th of April met and 
chose a committee, " to meet with other sea-port commit- 
tees, of the county at the tavern near Beverly meeting- 
house this day, and consult on measures to be taken for our 
safety in this difficult time." The Continental Congress 
during this year fitted out thirteen vessels of war, five of 
thirty-two guns, five of twenty-eight and three of twenty- 
four guns. At a meeting in April the town chose dele- 
gates " to attend a county convention to meet here this 
month relative to an equal representation, by every man's 
having a like voice in the election of the legislative body 
of this colony." This convention met, and drew up a 
memorial in favor of this, to be presented to the Provin- 
cial Congress. 

At a town meeting, June 10th, it was voted " that the 
representatives be instructed, if the Continental Congress 
should for the safety of the colonies, declare them inde- 
pendent of Great Britain, that the inhabitants here will 
solemnly pledge their lives and fortunes to support them 
in the measure." Similar resolutions were passed in most 
of the towns. After the Declaration of Independence was 



1774—1800.] COL. JONATHAN COGSWELL. 211 

passed in Congress July 4th, printed copies were circulated 
and read in all the churches on Sabbath afternoons, at the 
close of public worship, and the Declaration recorded in the 
Town books, according to the order of the State Council. 

From January to August, four of our men died of dis- 
ease in the army. Thomas Emerson Cole, aged 25 ; 
Jonathan Cogswell, 3d., aged 22 ; William Jones, aged 50 ; 
and David Goodhue, aged 22. In the Fall, Joseph Mar- 
shall Jr., was killed by a cannon ball at Lake Champlain. 

In accordance with orders of the 15th of September, 
every fifth able-bodied man under fifty years of age was 
drafted into the army. The militia were also called upon 
for further active service. Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., of 
Chebacco, had been elected by the House of Representa- 
tives, on the 15th of February, Colonel of the third regi- 
ment in this county, embracing Ipswich, a part of Rowley, 
Topsfield and Wenham. As appears from the testimony 
of the aged, he rendered important aid to his country as a 
military officer, during the whole of the Revolutionary 
struggle. If the particulars of his military course, could 
all be ascertained, they would doubtless afford abundant 
confirmation of this testimony. His regiment had been 
already reduced in numbers by the frequent drafts. made 
upon it, for sea-coast men and various expeditions, before 
he took the field. From documents which he left in his 
family, we gather that he was at Fairfield, Ct., with his 
regiment, on the 19th of October, at Rye, November 3d, 
and at North Castle, on the 20th of the same month. 
While at Fairfield, as appears from his " return," his regi- 
ment, which was then a part of Gen. Parsons' Brigade, 
consisted of six companies — 19 commissioned officers, 5 
staff officers, 22 non-commissioned officers, and 309 rank 
and file. Nineteen of the latter were sick or absent on 
duty elsewhere, leaving 290 privates fit for duty ; making 
his whole effective force 336. The Chebacco company in 
the regiment, under command of Capt. Perkins, contained 
2 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants and 55 rank and file, " present. 



212 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4 

fit for duty." An order received by Col. Cogswell there, in 
the handwriting of Washington, was preserved among his 
papers, and is now extant. The following is a copy of it : 

" Whatever Troops are on the road from Connecticut towards Marroneck 
(in New York), are hereby ordered and directed to advance towards Mar- 
roneck, and there put themselves under the command of the Senior Officer, 
until further Orders ; who is, with the whole of his Troops, to use every pos- 
sible means to protect the Stores of Provisions at the Saw Pitts, and give 
their best assistance in sending them off to places of safety. Given under 
my hand this twenty-first day of October, 1776. George Washington." 

Fairfield being a sea-port on Long Island Sound, he was 
doubtless there, to protect the coast and prevent the land- 
ing of the British. How long he had been there his pa- 
pers do not say. From other sources, we know that he 
was at the battle of White Plains, thirty miles north-east 
of New York. His minister, the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, 
was also there at the same time as chaplain of his regi- 
ment, as was also Mr. Cleaveland's son, Nehemiah, a pri- 
vate. This battle was fought on the 28th of October. 
The attack was made by the British, with a view to get 
possession of the eastern roads, and thus cut off the sup- 
plies which Washington was receiving for his army. But, 
though there were many killed on both sides, the British 
failed of their object. Washington maintained his groimd, 
till the night of the 30th, when he removed his army to 
North Castle, a town three miles north-east of White 
Plains. Leaving here most of the New England troops 
under General Lee, Washington crossed the Hudson, and 
pressed by the British, soon after retreated across New 
Jersey. Some of our Chebacco men were with him in 
this retreat, as we have often heard them say. We must 
follow them, for the history of towns, is the history of 
townsmen, especially when acting for town and country. 
The British army under Lord Cornwallis follow hard after 
Washington through New Brunswick, Princeton and Tren- 
ton. At the Delaware they expect the river will delay 
him, and they with their superior force shall crush him at 



1774—1800.] THE JERSEY CAMPAIGN. 213 

once. But he has just crossed over as they come up. 
Having no boats to pass with, they encamp and wait for 
the river to freeze. Washington, having called in some 
detachments of his army and being strengthened by 1500 
militia under General Mifflin, determines to recross the 
Delaware, and surprise the British posts at Trenton. 
With the greatest difficulty, this bold undertaking is ac- 
complished on the night of the 25th of December, by a 
part of the army, led by Washington himself After much 
toil and suffering and loss of time, the force reaches Tren- 
ton at eight o'clock in the morning. Col. Rahl, the com- 
manding officer of that post, attempts a defence, but he 
is mortally wounded at the first fire, and his troops in dis- 
may seek to escape by the Princeton road, but Washington 
intercepts them, and defeats their design, and they are 
compelled to surrender. Of our troops, two are killed 
and two are frozen to death. Not wishing to hazard what 
he has gained, he recrosses the river with his prisoners, 
and six pieces of artillery, a thousand stand of arms and 
some military stores. Two days after, he crosses the Del- 
aware again, and takes possession of Princeton. Lord 
Cornwallis, leaving a part of his troops at Princeton, 
marches with the rest of his army to give battle to Wash- 
ington at Trenton. But our wise and skillful General, 
aware that his force is much too inferior to hazard a 
battle, resorts to stratagem. Leaving his fires burning 
briskly, and some small parties to throw up entrenchments 
within sound of the British sentinels, that his army might 
not be missed, he silently decamps in the night, and by a 
circuitous route, gains the rear of the enemy between 
Princeton and Trenton. Two British regiments are com- 
ing from Princeton to join Cornwallis. A conflict ensues. 
Our troops give way. But Washington rallies and leads on 
the main body, and victory is ours. We press on toward 
Princeton, where one regiment is left. A part save them- 
selves by flight. The rest fall into our hands. Cornwallis 
hearing the firing towards Princeton, suspects the whole 



214 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

at once, and immediately turns his troops towards Prince- 
ton, that he may save his stores at New Brmiswick. 
Washington, on his approach retires to Morristown, Jan- 
uary 6, 1777, where he entrenches. Cornwallis goes into 
winter quarters at New Brunswick. All the rest of New 
Jersey, except Amboy, falls into the hands of our people. 
These remarkable exploits, so signally blessed of heaven, 
kindle new life in the breast of every soldier, and send a 
thrill of joy throughout the country. In our little com- 
munity here, from which most of the men are gone, the 
news flies from house to house, and female lips exclaim, 
" Glorious news from the Jerseys." 

1777. February 27th, the town offer a bounty and extra 
pay to every soldier enlisting in the continental army for 
three years ; first year, £Q ; second year, £8 ; third, £10. 
If they die while in service, the same shall go to their 
heirs ; or such soldiers shall have £18 at the end of three 
years. 

June 9th. The town instruct their representatives "to 
oppose the repeal of the Price Act; to act against the 
General Court's forming a new plan of government ; to 
try for the removal of this Court to some country town ; 
for having all the State's money redeemed with continental 
currency, so that there be but one kind of currency in the 
United States, and for giving encouragement to the raising 
of flax and wool." 

August 18th. Voted, "that the committee hire men, 
who shall be called to serve during the war." Thirteen 
men of Chebacco are reported this month by the Colonel 
as already in service in the northern army. Six more 
are now drafted from the military company here to serve 
in that army, which number (six), according to Capt. David 
Low's "return " of August 15th, was one-sixth part of the 
able-bodied men at home. In September, Lieut. John 
Choate makes return of eight others, " who marched out 
of Capt. David Low's companj^ in Chebacco, with said Capt. 
Low, to re-enforce the northern army." September 17th, 



1774—1800.] THE NOKTHEKN ARMY. 215 

voted, "that the selectmen supply the families of soldiers 
who are in the continental army." 

As we have twenty-eight men in the northern army 
under Gen. Gates, we will go there and witness some of 
the operations. The British General Burgoyne, has come 
from Canada with an army of eight thousand regular 
troops, to effect a junction with the British at New York. 
He has taken Ticonderoga with its numerous artillery, and 
the important post of Skenesborough (now Whitehall); 
has the full command of Lake Champlain and Lake George ; 
after much labor and fatigue, and the loss of about two 
hundred men in skirmishes by the way, has now reached 
the Hudson River, and by a bridge of boats has crossed 
over from the east side to Saratoga on the west. 

As the British advance, our army leaving Saratoga, fall 
down the river and finally encamp near the confluence of 
the Mohawk and the Hudson on Bemis Heights. The 
camp is the segment of a circle, with the convex towards 
the enemy, and is connected with the river by a deep in- 
trenchment covered by strong batteries. The rig4it is also 
covered by a deep hollow descending to the river and 
thickly wooded. On the 19th of ' September, an alarm 
being given about noon that the enemy is approachino-, 
Col. Morgan with his riflemen is sent forward to meet 
them, and soon the regiments from New Hampshire, Con- 
necticut and New York follow, and by the middle of the 
afternoon, the action becomes general ; and our Massachu- 
setts troops act their part with great bravery. The Brit- 
ish have four field-pieces in operation. But the ground 
occupied by our troops, a thick wood on the border of the 
open field, does not admit of the use of artillery. On the 
opposite side of this field, on a rising ground, in a thin 
pine wood, the British troops are drawn up. As soon as 
they come forward in the open field, the fire of our marks- 
men, drives them back in disorder; and whenever our 
troops push forward into the open ground, the British 
rally, charge, and drive them back. This alternate ad- 



216 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

vancing and retreating is continued and repeated perhaps 
not less than a dozen times. Every time our troops drive 
them back, their artillery falls into the hands of our men ; 
but the ground is such, that they cannot bring off the 
guns, nor keep them long enough to use them against 
the British. The contest is furious, and the fire of mus- 
ketry and the shout of battle continue till the darkness 
of the evening shuts in upon us. The British remain 
upon the ground, and claim the victory. Our troops re- 
turn to their camp, and feel that in maintaining their 
ground, they have gained a decided triumph. The field 
is" covered with the dead and the wounded. The British 
have lost more than five hundred ; our loss is less than 
three hundred. Among the badly wounded, is one of our 
Chebacco neighbors, Joseph Burnham, who continues in 
much pain and distress about two weeks, and then closes 
his eyes in death. 

In our camp all is preparation for another trial with the 
British. In the meantime, news is brought that a detach- 
ment of *militia, under Col. Brown, has taken the posts at 
the outlet of Lake George, with three hundred prisoners, 
and also several armed vessels upon the lake. This cut 
off Burgoyne's communications with Canada, so that his 
situation became more and more critical. Provisions for 
his army were daily diminishing, without any hope of re- 
newing the supply, except by the conquest of our army. 
But this was becoming every day less and less probable, 
for our success in the recent battle was noised abroad as 
a great victory, and the militia were coming in to join us 
in great numbers. Burgoyne must, however, retreat or 
risk another battle, for his troops are already suffering 
severely from a scanty supply of provisions. On the 7th 
of October, therefore, he makes an advance upon our 
army. As soon as this is discovered, our whole force is 
in motion. The British are so furiously assailed that 
amidst a shower of grape and musketry they begin to 
give way, and with difficulty reach their camp. Col. 



1774—1800.] SUCCESS OF THE NORTHERN ARMY. 217 

Brooks, afterwards our governor, attacks a German brigade 
in their intrenchments, forces them from their ground at 
the point of the bayonet, and captures tlieir camp equi- 
page and artillery, and a supply of ammunition, which 
was a great relief to our poorly supplied troops. Night 
coming on, the battle is interrupted. But our troops 
sleep upon their arms, ready to renew it as soon as light 
returns. Burgoyne, having lost four hundred men, with 
artillery, ammunition, and tents, thinks it best to steal 
away in the night while our troops are asleep. In the 
morning, we see him at a distance, drawn up in order of 
battle, on some high grounds in the rear. The day is 
spent in skirmishing. The next day he retreats to Sara- 
toga, in the midst of a rain that falls in torrents, and 
which prevents our army fron\ giving him any annoyance. 
But his situation is desperate. A council of war advises 
him to open a treaty of capitulation. He surrenders Octo- 
ber 16th. It is a triumphant day for the colonies, when 
the proud Burgoyne, under the gaze of more than twenty 
thousand eyes, walks up to our General — Gates, and, as a 
conquered foe, delivers to hiin his sword. We see our 
Chebacco soldiers intently looking on. Among them is a 
youth in his seventeenth year, who lives to repeat the 
story in his ninety-fifth year, recalling the scene with all 
the enthusiasm of youth. This ceremony of delivering 
the sword being ended, the British troops, to the number 
of nearly six thousand, march out of their camp with the 
honors of war, lay down their arms under an engagement 
never more to serve against the United States, and are 
conducted to Boston to embark for England. Five Che- 
bacco men were drafted to form a part of the force which 
guarded these prisoners of war while they were encamped 
in Charlestown awaiting transportation. With the fall of 
Burgoyne, all the posts north of us to Canada line soon 
fell into our hands. 

Some of our Chebacco men are stationed at Albany, the 

rest join the body of the army under Washington, at Val- 

28 



218 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap/ 4. 

ley Forge, in Pennsylvania. Though sent in November, 
in a body of five thousand northern troops, by Gen. Gates 
at the request of Washington, yet, being detained by Gen. 
Putnam in the neighborhood of New York, they did not 
reach the Southern camp till December, when they were 
joined by two thousand more from Gen. Gates. Wash- 
ington's troops, consisting of about eleven thousand, were 
now in Winter quarters at Valley Forge, a piece of ground 
on the south side of the Schuylkill, about twenty miles 
from Philadelphia. The soldiers are quartered in log huts, 
nearly eight hundred in number, arranged in rows, each 
hut containing fourteen men. But they are in destitute 
condition — almost without clothing, and poorly supplied 
with provisions. Many, for want of blankets to lie on, 
are obliged to sit and sleep by the fire at night. Destitute 
of shoes, their late marches had been tracked in blood 
over the frozen ground ! 

Leaving the army at Valley Forge, we turn our atten- 
tion to the efforts made by our people to resist the enemy 
upon the sea. Something was done by our public armed 
ships, but more by swift-sailing privateers, which scoured 
every sea— even those about the British Islands. They 
were very successful in capturing merchantmen and ships 
laden with provisions and military supplies, and thus not 
only weakened the enemy, but supplied our distressed 
countrymen with bread and military stores, of which they 
were destitute. There were some from this parish engaged 
in privateering — though but few, compared with the num- 
ber that entered the army. With their vessels of war, the 
English were at this time masters of all our coasts, on some 
parts of which the most wanton and cruel depredations 
were inflicted. On the 1st of August Col. Cogswell is 
informed by Brigadier Farley that " a fleet of a hundred 
sail of large vessels were seen from the highlands in Glou- 
cester standing to the northward," and is ordered "to have 
his regiment in readiness for what may happen." During 
this year a British frigate was oft' our bay. Boats were 



1774—1800.] FKANCIS CHOATE, ESQ. 219 

sent from her into the harbor of Annisquam. Mrs. Mar- 
shall, a resident on Hog Island, said to the author that she 
distinctly saw the flashes of the guns in their boats, and of 
the guns of our people on shore. A guard of twelve men, 
she said, was quartered upon the Island to prevent their 
landing. At one time their boats were seen approaching 
to effect a landing, when all upon the Island fled, except 
one resolute woman, the wife of William Choate, grand- 
mother of the -late Hon. Rufus Choate, who declared she 
would stay and keep house if all the rest ran. She staid 
with two of her children, and received no harm. 

October 15th, Francis Choate died aged seventy-six. 
He was a brother of Hon. John Choate of Ipswich Centre, 
and was born on Hog Island in 1701. He was a ruling 
elder in Mr. Cleaveland's church, and one of his prominent 
supporters. In 1754, he was made Justice of the Peace, 
and in town affairs, and as a town officer, he was prominent 
for many years. His second son, William, was the fjither 
of the late Mr. David Choate, and of George Choate, Esq. 

1778. January 12th, the town voted to take under consideration, " The 
Articles of the Confederation and Perpetual Union between the United States 
of America, as proposed to the Legislature of this State " 

January 19th. " Voted, to instruct the representatives to vote that the 
delegates from Massachusetts favor the Articles of Confederation." - 

April 6th. " Voted, that a committee meet with others here at Tread- 
well's, on the 15th instant, to consider the Constitution and form of govern- 
ment proposed." 

June 4th. The vote respecting the proposed Constitu- 
tion stood, one for, and one hundred and ninety-one 
against. The whole sum voted by the town this year for 
the families of soldiers is £800 in Continental bills, equal 
to $533.33 cents. 

January 30th. The King of France enters into a treaty 
with our government, recognizing the independence of 
these United States. In this treaty it was stipulated, that 
France and the United States should make common cause, 
that neither should make peace with England, without the 
consent of the other, and neither should lay down arms till 



220 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

the independence of the United States was secured. This 
treaty when received, May Gth, spread joy through all the 
towns in the country. The hereditary hatred of France, 
which had pervaded the country, was suddenly changed 
into gratitude, respect and love. Thanks were returned 
in all our churches for the special interposition of Provi- 
dence, and prayers offered for blessings upon our allies, 
the French. This was rarely omitted on the Sabbath, the 
aged tell us, by the patriotic Cleaveland. When the news 
of the French treaty arrived, Washington was still en- 
camped at Valley Forge, with a force insufficient to meet 
the British in the open field. But the news of expected 
aid from abroad, inspired all with courage, and tended to 
depress and discourage the enemy. As the Delaware was 
liable to be blocked up by a French fleet, the British were 
obliged to evacuate Philadelphia, and to return to the 
Highlands of Navesink, where, by entrenchments, they 
secured themselves from further attack. In the Summer, 
an attempt was made by our forces under Gen, Sullivan 
to drive the British from Newport. Count D' Estaing 
with a French fleet was to cooperate with him, and ap- 
peared off Newport on the 29th of July, but was soon 
after defeated in an engagement with Admiral House, and 
left Sullivan to contend alone. A battle was fought at 
Quaker Hill, and Sullivan narrowly escaped falling with 
his whole army into the hands of the British. By good 
generalship he effected a retreat. The operations of the 
enemy for more than a year, in Rhode Island, were the 
occasion of the frequent call upon our men to march to 
that quarter. Our town records more than once speak 
of our men having; marched to Providence to strenorthen 
our forces there. August 2d, Captain David Low makes 
return to Col. Cogswell of " ten men in my company that 
have engaged to go to Providence, in the service of these 
States." All the militia from Massachusetts Bay, while in 
Sullivan's army, were enrolled in Col. Wade's regiment. 
Frequent requisitions were also made for men " to join the 



.1774—1800.] COL. COGSWELL'S EEGIMENT. 221 

guards at Cambridge under Maj. Gen. Heath." On the 
26th of September, Col. Cogswell was ordered by Briga- 
dier Titcomb " to repair to Boston and take command of 
the men ordered to be raised the 7th inst., out of my 
Brigade." Among Col. Cogswell's papers is an autograph 
order of Gen. Gates received while he was holding this 

command. It is as follows: 

" Boston, December 3, 1778. 
" To Col. Cogswell, Third Eegiment, Essex Militia — Sir : You will please 
immediately to supply the bearer with Two Officers, two Sergeants and thirty 
Hank and File,^ to assist in removing some cables of the Somersett man-of- 
war, now on board a vessel at Gray's wharf. I am y'' hble serv', 

" HoKATio Gates." 

Toward the close of the year, the enemy seemed dis- 
posed to remove the seat of war to the Southern States. 
From our church records we learn, that this year the fol- 
lowing soldiers died abroad : James Rust, a prisoner at 
Halifax, aged 20 ; Stephen Kent, aged 50 ; Jonathan An- 
drews, aged 40 or more, at Albany ; Abraham and Isaac 
Jones, Israel Andrews, Nathaniel Emerson, and Abijah 
Story (negro), in the army; Nehemiah son of Nehemiah 
Choate, soldier at sea, of the small pox, at Bilboa. 

1779. Some definite idea of the militia oro-anizations 
of this time may be obtained from the following extracts 
from a " Return of the Third Regiment of Militia in the 
county of Essex, commanded by Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., 
made on the 12th of January." Nine companies belonged 
to the regiment at this time. The first company belonged 
in Ipswich Centre; the second at the Hamlet; the third 
at Chebacco ; three others also in Ipswich, two in Topsfield, 
and one in Wenliam. The list of officers is as follows : 

"Jonathan Cogswell, (Jolonel, connni.ssioned February 14, 1776; Isaac 
Dodge, Ip.swich, Lieutenant Colonel, commissioned February 14, 177(1; 
Charles Smith, Ipswich, Fir.st Major, commissioned February 14, 1770 ; 
Joseph Gould, Topsfield, Second Major, commissioned February 14, 1770; 
John Heard, Ipswich, Adjutant, commissioned Mny 7, 1776. Whole Num- 
ber of the Training Band present, including officers, 514. Ditto Alarm List, 
2.")7. Whole Number of Training Band absent, viz., in the Continental 
army, 119; in the State's service, 37. Absent, of the Alarm List, 6." 



222 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4, 

The return of the Chebacco comj^any of the same date 
is as follows : 

" A return of the Third Company of the Third Regiment of Militia in 
the County of Essex: David Low, Captain, commissioned May 16, 1776; 
John Choate, First Lieutenant ; Ephraim Davis, Second Lieutenant. Train- 
ing Band, present, viz : Clerk, 1, Sergeants, 4, Drummer, 1, Rank and File, 
71. Ditto absent, viz., in Continental Service, 1 Subaltern, 22 Privates; in 
State Service, 1 Colonel, 6 Privates ; 9 in private armed vessels, 4 in cap- 
tivity, 4 seamen at sea. Alarm List present, viz., under 50 years of age, 14 ; 
between 50 and 60, 23 ; between 60 and 65, 7 ; total, 44. Alarm List ab- 
sent in State service, 3 Privates ; in private vessels, 2 ; seamen at sea, 2. 
Whole number of males above 16 years of age, not included either in the 
Training Band or Alarm List, viz., Whites, 5, Blacks, 4." 

The "alarm list" was composed of those who were more 
than forty-eight years of age. The persons exempted at 
this time by law were, all under sixteen years of age, the 
officers and students of Harvard College, ministers of the 
gospel, grammar-schoolmasters, Indians, negroes and mu- 
lattoes. The equipments required were as follows : 

" Fire-arm ; steel or iron ramrod ; Spring to retain ; Worm ; Priming 
wire; Brush; Bayonet; Cutting sword or Hathor ; Pouch; 100 buckshot; 
Jack or sack knife ; Tow ; 5 flints ; one pound of powder ; 40 balls ; Knap- 
sack ; Blanket; Canteen or wood bottle." 

One of Col. Cogswell's "orders" of this year is also pre- 
served, and is of considerable interest for the information it 
furnishes respecting the military customs of the Revolution : 

"Ipswich, June 18, 1779. 
" To Capt. David Low — Sir : You are hereby directed to detach from your 
Company, two men to serve in the State of Rhode Island until the first day 
of January next, unless sooner discharged, said detachment to be made in- 
discriminately from the Training Band and the Alarm List. Said men are 
to be mustered before the County muster-master, and to be armed and 
equipped according to law. Their pay is to be sixteen pounds per month, 
in addition to the Continental pay. One hundred dollars for a further en- 
couragement is to be advanced to each man by the selectmen of the Town 
where said men are detached, as a Bounty. Also two shillings a mile as 
mileao-e money from the Town where they are detached to the place of their 
destination. Any person detaclied for the service aforesaid, and shall not 
within twenty-four hours after ho is detached pay a fine of thirty pounds, or 
procure some able-bodied man in his room, properly armed and equipped, he 



1774—1800.] THE SOUTH SCHOOL-HOUSE. 223 

shall be held as a soldier in said detachment, and treated as such. The fines 
yon are to procure other men with, until your quota is completed. Hereof 
you will not fail, and make return of the men without loss of time. 

" JoN*^ Cogswell, Co/." 

June 28tli. The town votes £12,000, 0. T., equal to 
$1,000 or $1,500, to hire recruits now called out. The 
currency in old tenor, was at this time, not only very 
much depreciated, but very fluctuating. The English 
ministry were so lost to all principles of honor and hon- 
esty, as to counterfeit our bills, and send over whole 
chests of them, wdiich they continued to distribute among 
us, and which were so well executed, as to be with diffi- 
culty distinguished from the genuine bills. 

This year the first school-house on the south side of our 
river was built. It stood near a well, now belonging to 
the dwelling-house owned by Daniel Poland and William 
H. Burnham. There were at this time, only thirty-two 
houses on the south side of the river, ten of which were on 
the Gloucester and Manchester roads, and twenty-two 
on Thompson's Island. Now* there are on that side of 
the river, one hundred and twenty-five dwelling-houses, 
a church, and three school-houses. The frame of the first 
school-house was removed in 1814 to the site of the pres- 
ent school-house, in the South District, and improved for 
a school-house there for a number of years. It is now 
the frame of a dwelling-house in Manchester. Among the 
natives of Chebacco, who taught in this " good frame," 
may be mentioned Elias Andrews, William Cogswell, Jr., 
David Choate, his three sons, David, Rufus and Washing- 
ton, and Samuel Gorton, Jr. 

Auii!:ust 9th. The town elect five delegates to the con- 
vcntion to be held at Cambridge, for framing a new State 
Constitution. Among these are Stephen Choate, Esq., and 
Col. Jonathan Cogswell. 

Ausrust 16th. Two are chosen to meet in convention 
at Concord, to regulate the prices of goods. The town 

* 1855. 



224 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

sanction the doings of this convention fixing the prices 
of various articles of merchandise. 

But little was done this year in the field either by our 
people or the British. The campaign at the South was a 
failure. Washington from his camp in New Jersey, was 
more successful against the British on the Hudson. The 
fortress of Stony Point, which had been taken by the 
British, was retaken by a detachment of troops mostly 
from New England, under Gen. Wayne, who stormed the 
fort, on the night of the 15th of July. This was con- 
sidered one of the most gallant exploits of the war. 

1780. Unusually severe and stormy weather prevailed 
at the close of the last year and the opening of this. The 
snow fell in frequent storms from the middle of Decem- 
ber, to almost the middle of January, when it lay upon 
the ground more than three feet in thickness on a level. 
Loaded teams passed over the walls, in every direction. 
The cold was intense and without interruption, for many 
days. It was long remembered as the hard winter. The 
spring also was cold and remarkably backward. 

Friday the 19th of May was long remembered by the 
inhabitants of the Commonwealth and of some portions 
of the neighboring States, but especially by the residents 
of this county as '' The Dark Day." Mrs. Marshall, whose 
maiden name was Hannah Choate, gave the author the 
following account of this strange phenomenon, as it was 
witnessed on Hog Island. She was then 17 years of age. 

" The sun rose clear, but it soon began to be lowery, with some showers. 
Toward nine o'cloclk, it seemed to be breaking away ; but everything had a 
yellow appearance. Soon after nine, a dark, heavy cloud was seen rising 
from the north-west, which gradually spread itself till it covered the whole 
heavens, except a narrow space near the horizon. About ten, this was also 
covered, and the darkness increased so that we had to light a candle. All the 
folks out of doors left their work, and came in. Fear and anxiety were mani- 
fest on every countenance. It was quite dark when we set our dinner-table. 
Early in the afternoon, the darkness began to abate, and before sundown it 
was light, but cloudy, with a yellow, brassy appearance. After sundown, it 
grew dark very fast, and the evening was more remarkable than the day. 



1774—1800.] 



THE DARK DAY. 225 



It seemed like darkness that uiight be felt. Some of our family who tried 
to go to the neighbors, had to come back. We sat up quite late, knowing 
that the moon rose at nine, and expecting it would make some difference as 
to the darkness, but it did not till after eleven o'clock, when some glimmer 
of light began to appear from it." 

Other accounts tell us, that those who were traveling in 
the evening had to dismount from their horses, as they 
wholly refused to go on, and that horses could not be com- 
pelled to leave their stables, when wanted for service. It 
is remarkable that, according to the testimony of our 
fishermen, some of whom were then at sea, there was no 
unusual darkness upon the water. The general opinion 
of scientific men of that time was, that this phenomenon 
was caused by the unusual thickness of the clouds, and 
the vast quantity of smoke arising from burning woods. 
It is said that there were at that time about thirty miles 
square of woods on fire in the vicinity of Ticonderoga 
and nearer. 

March 30th, Ebenezer Cleaveland, son of our pastor,, 
died of jail fever, on board of the Continental ship-of-war 
Eustis, aged 26. He had sailed from Salem in October, 
1779, for the West Indies for his health, had been taken 
b}^ the British, and retaken by the French ; had been in 
jail, as a prisoner, at Gaudaloupe, and was now, by some 
means, in a ship-of-war of his own country. 

The town furnishes this year, as its required proportion, 
106 shirts, 106 pairs of stockings and shoes, and 33 
blankets ; raises 60 men for six months, and 12 horses 
for the public service ; votes £1,200, to hire soldiers for 
the continental army ; furnishes as its proportion 31,800 
pounds of beef; accepts a report to pay its soldiers in hard 
money, as resolved by the General Court ; votes £1,850 of 
new emission, or £74,200 of old emission, to pay for its 
army beef; votes not to accept the new constitution for 
the State, unless the proposed amendments are allowed. 
The same was voted by Danvers and some other towns. 
The constitution, however, was adopted by the people. 

29 



226 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

The quota of Ipswich for the continental service, this 
year, was fifty-two, equal to that of Salem, and larger 
than that of any other town in the county. Besides fur- 
nishing its proportion of these, Chebacco was called upon 
in June, for eleven six months' men, and the same num- 
ber of three months' men, who were accordingly drafted 
from Capt. David Low's company. 

Our men were in various parts of the army, some at the 
South and some at the North. Whether any of them were 
in the force under the immediate command of Washington, 
when the treason of Arnold was detected, is not known. 
But one of the line officers in that part of the army, at 
that time, was Maj. Caleb Low of Dan vers, who was a 
native of Chebacco, and was brought up here. He was 
present at the execution of Andre. The following letter 
addressed to him by Washington, the original of which is 
in the hands of Maj. Low's grandson. Col. Caleb Low of 
Danvers, is taken from Hanson's History of Danvers : 

" Sir : You will be pleased to march early to-morrow morning, with all the 
militia under your command, and proceed to the landing at West Point. 
You will send an officer to this place, by whom you will receive further 
orders. Col. Gouvior, the bearer of this, will apply to you for an officer and 
a small party of men. These you will furnish. I am, sir, with esteem, yr. 
mo. obe't ser't, Geo. Washington." 

" Headquarters Robinson's House, 2bth September, 1780, | after 7 o'clock P. M. 

" Majoe Low, at Fishkill." 

Maj. Low was the son of Caleb and Abigail Low, and 
was baptized by Mr. Pickering, July 8, 1739. He had 
been a soldier in the French and Indian war, had served 
as captain at Ticonderoga, and was promoted to the rank 
of major at the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle. 
He had two brothers, who were also in the army and stood 
firmly in defence of their country. Their birthplace was 
in the ancient mansion which stood where the dwelling 
of Josiah Low now stands. 

1781. In the meetings of the town it is voted : 

"March 20th, that £500 be raised for soldiers and remainder of beef; 
June 22d, that we supply the army with 25,204 pounds of beef, 106 pairs 



1774—1800.] CLOSE OF THE WAR. 227 

of stockings and shoes, 106 shirts and 42 men; August 13th, that £400 be 
raised to pay men hired for three months, and £200 for army clothing ; Au- 
gust_ 20th, that £220 be given for soldiers at Rhode Island who have been 
there five months." 

Besides bearing its part of these burdens, Chebacco of 
its penury also contributes £5. 13s. for inhabitants of South 
Carolina and Georgia who are left in extreme destitution 
by the ravages of the enemy, the seat of war this year 
being chiefly at the South. 

The British had overrun Georgia and the Carolinas and 
were attempting to subdue Virginia. But the success of 
our arms was such that most of the lost ground was re- 
covered, and Cornwallis was compelled to entrench himself 
at Yorktown. Washington marched from New York, and 
arrived at the head of the Elk about the time that Count 
de Grasse with twenty-five sail of the line entered the 
Chesapeake. By the help of the French fleet, he removed 
his army from the head of the Elk to the vicinity of 
Yorktown ; and on the 6th of October, the allied forces 
began the siege, which they pressed so vigorously that 
on the 19th Cornwallis was obliged to surrender. This 
was the last contest in our struggle for liberty, and under 
the good Providence of God, the long protracted war ter- 
minated at length wholly in our favor. The success of 
the siege of Yorktown excited universal joy throughout 
the country. The day after the capitulation, Washington 
ordered, that those who were under arrest should be par- 
doned, and announced — 

" That Divine service shall be performed to-morrow, in the different brig- 
ades and divisions. The commander-in-chief recommends that all the troops 
that are not upon duty, do assist at it, with a serious deportment, and that 
sensibility of heart, which the recollection of the surprising and particular 
interposition of Providence in our favor, claims." 

Congress also resolved to go in procession to the Dutch 
Lutheran Church, and return thanks to Almighty God, 
for the signal success of the American arms : and they 
issued a proclamation, recommending to the citizens of the 



228 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

United States, to observe the 13th of December as a day 
of pubUc thanksgiving and prayer. 

1782. There is a suspension of hostiUties this year. 
England is disposed to make peace with us, if it can be 
done without inflicting too deep a wrong upon the na- 
tion's pride. Much time, however, is required to adjust 
the whole matter, and until the treaty is made and ratified, 
our army must be kept in the field and sustained. Our 
fathers in town-meeting, vote £440 to pay men lately 
engaged to serve in the army, and other soldiers ; and to 
raise nineteen men for the continental army. 

Notwithstanding all their privations, hardships and suf- 
ferings during this long and bloody contest, which had 
almost drained Chebacco of men, especially young men, 
our citizens here still sustain the cause of education, even 
with increased zeal. Three schools are now in active 
operation. One at the Falls, one on the south side of the 
river, and the ancient North, now removed from the com- 
mon to the gravel-pit, a little north of where the hay- 
scales now are. We will visit the school and learn some- 
thing of its prosperity. Its teacher is Northern Cogswell, 
son of Dr. Cogswell of Rowley, who was a native of Che- 
bacco. The school-house is considered one of good size ; 
and yet forty scholars fill nearly all the seats. From the 
register on the master's desk, we see that the whole num- 
ber belonging to the school is forty-five, thirty-one boys 
and fourteen girls. Twenty-one boys and eight girls are 
marked as perfect in their attendance. This register now 
in our possession, is written in the teacher's large and fair 
hand, and contains the names of all the scholars and the 
punctuality of their attendance. The number of girls in 
the school is comparatively small, for it is not the custom. 
of the day for girls in general to attend. Only those 
most ambitious to be something, are seen at school, or as 
a man of years now expresses it, " only those who thought 
a good deal of themselves." The government of the 
school is mild and paternal, with but little use of the rod. 



1774—1800.] THE NORTH SCHOOL. 229 

Yet the order is excellent, and the industry commendable. 
The master has the reputation of being one of the best 
of teachers, though yet a young man. The exercises of 
the school are confined to reading, writing, spelling and 
ciphering. We hear them read in the psalter, and spell 
from Dilworth's spelling-book. The " cipherers " have 
their sums, as they are called, written by the master, in 
their manuscripts, to be wrought out by them on the slate. 
The more indolent occasionally, copy the process by stealth 
from their more studious neighbors. The penmanship of 
the master is very fine, and the proficiency of the pupils 
consequently remarkably good. The amount of knowl- 
edge acquired in such a school, though very limited, is 
yet of incalculable importance ; and besides this, the 
mental discipline, the habits of punctuality, of order, of 
subjection and attention thus early gained, and the imbib- 
ing of moral and religious truth, are of inestimable value. 
If we were strangers, we should say with the poet, as we 
look around upon this group of bright-eyed children : 

" Boys are at best but pretty buds unblown, 
Whose scent and hues "re rather guessed than known." 

But as we know their future career, it is pleasant to 
look upon them in childhood, and to see in their habits of 
punctuality and attendance, as marked by their teacher, 
their future industry, intelligence and usefulness. Two 
of them are still living with us, at the age of more than 
eighty. Two of the children of Dr. Davis, then the physi- 
cian of the place, are living in Gloucester. The remain- 
der, for the most part, we ourselves have followed to the 
grave, as parishioners, neighbors, and friends. One studi- 
ous boy we see there, eleven years old, whose literary 
career is remarkably brilliant, as he passes from the dis- 
trict school to the academy, and to the university, and to 
the study and practice of law in a neighboring city. But 
his career is as short as it is brilliant. At the age of thirty, 
death lays him in the grave. Two brothers are sitting 
together, John and Francis Choate. John, as he advances 



230 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

upon the stage of life, becomes master of a vessel, and 
perishes at sea, being wrecked on the coast of France. 
Francis dies in early life, of a fever, at the age of seventeen. 
1783. This was a memorable year in the annals of the 
town as well as of the country. A treaty of peace was 
made with England, in which the Independence of the 
United States was acknowledged, a right to the fisheries 
granted, and as much territory yielded as was expected or 
asked for. On the 19th of April, just eight years from the 
day when at Lexington the first blood was spilled, peace 
was proclaimed in the American army by Gen. Washington. 
In the Autumn, the army was disbanded, and our fellow- 
citizens returned to their homes. Forty years ago, as the 
author visited from house to house, he heard from the 
lips of these Revolutionary soldiers, descriptions of many 
scenes, which they had witnessed in the camp and on the 
battle-field, of the most thrilling interest. The impres- 
sion made by the accounts they gave of their experiences 
of army life, of their battles, and of their sufferings from 
fatigue, hunger, cold and sickness, is still deep and vivid. 
Some of them had crossed the kerseys with bare feet, on 
frozen ground, tracking the way with blood. Others at 
times had had nothing to keep them from starvation but 
melted suet. And after their service was ended, they lost 
most of their pay, because their exhausted country was 
almost literally bankrupt. Of the value of their services, 
of their hardships and their condition at the close of the 
war, we may form some adequate conception from a part 
of a speech of Hon. Rufus Choate, in Congress, in 1832, on 
the Pension Bill. It is as follows : 

" From my owa observation, from the testimony of other gentlemen given 
in this discussion, from the uniform concurrence of opinion expressed by all, 
who, at any time heretofore, have advocated in Congress the adoption or ex- 
tension of the pension system, I am satisfied that, as a general fact, the sur- 
vivors of the War of the Revolution, are in reduced pecuniary circumstances, 
although often considerably above want ; the precise condition of life which 
this charity pre-eminently blesses. Sir, we know why they are in sucli circum- 
stances. They left the army at the average age of thirty-two or thirty-three. 



1774—1800.] CONDITION OF THE SOLDIERS. 231 

The prime of life was already nearly past. Before that age, the foundations 
of most men's fortunes are laid, and their destinies fixed. Many of them had 
families immediately dependent and expensive. The business which they 
followed before they went to the war, it was not perfectly easy at once to re- 
sume Their health, and let us admit, sometimes their habits, were a little 
shaken by the life they had been leading. War never leaves the individual 
who actively mingles in it, any more than it leaves the nation, exactly where 
it finds him. The idleness of camp, and the excitements of camp, are alike 
unfavorable to morality and to industry. The chances were that when they 
went back to their places in society, and the land rested from the agitation 
with which it had so long been heaving, they would all, if the expression 
may be pardoned, have sunk at once to the bottom. The chances were, that 
they would become the ' cankers of a calm world and a long peace.' Many 
of them did so. Otliers struggled and rose to something like competence 
and comfort, but not above the necessity of partaking of this relief. I can- 
not refrain from reminding you, in this connection, that the ten years which 
immediately followed the war of independence, that period in which these 
men were called to put off the garments of the camp, and, breaking their 
swords into ploughshares, to resume as well as they could, the habits and 
pursuits of civil life, were a time the most unfavorable to morality, to indus- 
try, to the acquisition of property, and the formation of stable and elevated 
character, which this country ever saw. There was no opening to enterprise 
for anybody, and, least of all, for the penniless, disheartened and war-worn 
soldier. Manufactures we had none, and under such a government as the old 
Confederation, admitting the unrestrained importation of the foreign article, 
we should have never had any. Connnerce and the fisheries were annihi- 
lated ; agriculture was languishing to death. A great pressure of debt 
was bearing upon the confederacy, the States and the citizen. There was 
no circulating medium in existence, except a depreciated, worthless paper, 
wholly unfit to develop and vivify the industry of a community, but very fit, 
and very likely to make us a nation of gamesters and jockeys Undoubttdly 
this was as severe a crisis as the sharpest agony of the war. Such was the 
world which the disbanded soldiers began life in ; and stronger and more 
affecting proof of the truth of this description, and of the disastrous influences 
which that hard season shed on all their after fortunes, you need not seek, 
than is afforded by the fact, that far the larger number of those, who received 
their settlement certificates from the government at the close of the war, were 
obliged to sell them in the course of the ten years following, at an average of 
two shillings and six pence in the pound." 

THE IMPORTANCE AND WORTH OF THE MILITIA. 

" There was not a campaign or battle from the beginning of the war to the 
end, in which the militia did not bear an important part along with the con- 
tinentals. I do not say that they generally mustered in equal numbers, nor 
that they ever learned to stand fire quite as well in the open field. We know 



232 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

they did not. But I do say they served everywhere, and fought everywhere, 
under regular contracts of enlistment from which they could not break — or 
under compulsory levy for a prescribed terra, and that they contributed an 
important and as yet, an unappreciated and uncompensated share to whatever 
of success crowned the American arms. I promised to avoid details, but I 
will remind you that the army which shut the British up in Boston, and 
finally drove them from it, consisted when the siege was raised, of twenty 
thousand men of whom six thousand were militia. That siege began, you 
may say, in April or May, 1775, and down to August 1775, the entire be- 
sieging force was a mere militia. The Continental line did not exist in name 
or in fact until August 1775. That other army which captured Burgoyne, 
consisted of ten thousand men, of whom thirty-eight hundred were militia; 
and at Yorktown the American forces amounted to nine thousand, of whom 
four thousand were militia. Besides this they shared in every triumph and 
every defeat, which sviccessively illumined or darkened the long and changing 
scenes of that awful drama. The brilliant victory at Cowpens, which, in 
its consequences, rescued two States from the enemy, was won by an army 
two tliirds of whom were militia. It is interesting too, to call to mind, how 
many of what may be termed the turning incidents of the war — how many 
of the more showy and startling achievements, which produced a permanent 
and extended influence upon the temper and feelings of the people and the 
enemy, and upon the course and issue of the struggle — how many of these 
you owe to the single handed daring of the militia. Gentlemen have re- 
minded you of Lexington and Bunker's Hill, Yes, sir, the children in the 
infant schools can tell that the men who fought there never heard the beat of 
an enemy's drum before in their lives. But how few of all the battles of 
history have produced such results or drawn after them such consequences, 
and how little of all the blood shed in war has been shed to such good purpose 
as this The capture of Burgoyne was an eventful incident of the war. The 
most popular of our historians, in his peculiar expression, remarks that ' this 
event was the hinge on which the Revolution turned ' It secured to us the alli- 
ance of France and put the ultimate independence of the country beyond hazard. 
He says, with much more accuracy I think, that ' the battle of Bennington was 
the first link in the grand chain of causes which finally drew on the ruin of 
the royal army.' All that glory, too, was gatliered by the militia — by ' Stark's 
own.' That high-spirited soldier sent the official account of the battle, not to 
the Continental Congress, but to the Legislature of Massachusetts, and the 
trophies of the victory are hanging up to-day in her Senate-house. 

" I do not wonder that some students of this portion of our history have ex- 
claimed that we owe our independence to the militia Remember, too, that 
it happened more than once during the war that a seasonable recruit of these 
soldiers saved, when nothing else perhaps could have saved, the army of 
• Washington itself from disappearing and dissolving away. Every week 
almost, requisitions were made on them for direct co-operation with the con- 
tinental troops to meet the various emergencies of the war. But in two or 



1774—1800.] SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION". 233 

three memorable instances tliey saved the army. One happened when 
Washington lay before Boston early in 1776, and another some time subse- 
quently in the Jerseys. It was in the gloomy period of the short enlist- 
ments — the old were expiring, the new were not yet nearly filled, and a 
prompt and strong levy of yeomen and mechanics, alone enabled him to pre- 
sent to the enemy the show of a considerable armed organization. But it is 
needless to pursue this topic. There can be no doubt that this force, when- 
ever exerted, powerfully aided the cause of the Revolution. It prevented 
the enemy, to some extent, from undertaking those predatory incursions upon 
the coast and frontier, which were so distressing when undertaken. It pro- 
tected to some extent the agricultural labor of the country, without which the 
war could not have been maintained two years. It kept down disaffected 
persons. It sustained the spirit of the people and of the leaders of the peo- 
ple, by lightening in some degree the burthen, and breaking off the horrors 
of civil war. And, is there any reason to doubt that the sufferings, priva- 
tions, and perils of the militia-man, who served his nine months in the field, 
were as severe as those of the continental soldier who served his? Gentle- 
men say that nine months' service, in a seven years' war, is below the regard 
of this prosperous and grateful country. Why, nine months is a long cam- 
paign ; and a very short campaign has many times, in modern war, changed 
the face of the world. All the peculiar hazards of that civil war the soldiers 
of both classes (continental and militia troops) incurred together. They 
ran the same risk of falling in the field, of the prison-ship, and the scaffold. 
Nay, I take it that those who served in the earlier scenes of the war before it 
assumed the form of recognized and national hostility, came much nearer to 
the pains and penalties of rebellion than those who entered later. In other 
respects, I have thought the lot of the militia-men the harder of the two. 
Generally they were older ; oftener they had families, and a business which 
required their attention. They could not have left home to attend Court, 
as jurors for a fortnight, without inconvenience, and yet they were often sum- 
moned without the preparation of a moment, to a campaign of twelve months. 
They were called up at midnight to leave comfortable dwellings, happy but 
helpless families, and fields ripening to the harvest ; and they knew that if 
they survived to return, it might be to find those fields trampled down by an 
enemy's cavalry, and those families without a house over their heads." 

SOLDIERS OF THE EEVOLUTION FROM CHEBACCO. 

The following is a list of the soldiers of the Revolution 
from Chebacco, as far as has been ascertained, including 
all who enlisted for a longer or shorter time. It is not to 
be supposed that the roll is a complete one : 
Killed. — Jesse Story, Jr., Joseph Marshall, Jr. 

Died in the Army. — Israel Andrews, Jonathan Andrews, Joseph Burn- 
ham, Lieut. Samuel Buruham, Nehemiah Choate .Jr., William Choate Jr., 
30 



234 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

Jonatban Cog-swell, Sd, Thomas E. Cole, Nathaniel Emerson, David Good- 
hue, Abraham Jones, Isaac Jones, William Jones, Stephen Kent, Enoch 
Marshall, James Rust, Abijah Story, Seth Story, Jr., Jeremiah White, Sol- 
omon White, John White. 

In the Army during the Whole War. — Benjamin Burnhara, Sergt. 
Isaac Burnham, Joseph Burnham, Thomas Burnham, Lieut. John Cleave- 
land Jr., Aaron Eveleth, Joseph Story, Capt. William Story. 

Others in Active Service — Amos Andrews, James Andrews, Joseph 
Andrews, Jr., William Andrews, Ammi Burnham, Jr., Amos Burnham, 
Charles Burnham, David Burnham, 3d, Ebenezer Burnham, Enoch Burn- 
ham, 1st, Enoch Burnham, Jr., Francis Burnham, Maj. John Burnham, Jr., 
Jonathan Burnham, Mark Burnham, Jr , Nathan Burnham, Thomas Burn- 
ham, 3d, Wesley Burnham, William Burnham, Jr., William Burnham, 3d, 
John Butler, William Butler, John Cavies, Abraham Channel, Aaron Choate, 
David Choate, Ebenezer Choate, James Choate, Jeremiah Choate, Jr., Nehe- 
miah Choate, Solomon Choate, Rev. John Cleaveland, Nehemiah Cleaveland, 
Dr. Parker Cleaveland, (Assistant Surgeon), John Cogswell, 3d, Col. Jona- 
than Cogswell, Rufus Cogswell, Jr., William Cogswell, Jr., Aaron Crafts, 
Joseph Eveleth, John Fips, Aaron Foster, Moses Foster, Thomas Foster, 
John Goodhue, William Holmes, Aaron Low, Asa Low, Capt. David Low, 
Peter Low, Robert Low, Nathaniel Lufkin, Thomas Lufkin, Jr., Antipas 
Marshall, Moses Marshall, Aaron Perkins, Francis Perkins, Abner Poland, 
Asa Poland, Jonathan Procter, Joseph Procter, Samuel Procter, Samuel 
Pulsifer, Timothy Ross, Philemon Smith, Andrew Story, Elisha Story, Jacob 
Story, Sergt. Nathan Story, Primas Story, Seth Story, John Wise, Joseph 
Wise, Isaac Woodbury. 

Whole Numper — 105. 

1785. The singers begin to sit in the gallery facing 
the minister. Until 1768 "congregational singing "was 
the usage — one of the deacons " lining the hymn." From 
that date the singers sat together in pews assigned them 
on the floor of the house, the congregation still uniting 
with them in the service, and the deacons continuing to 
line the hymn. In 1774 the church voted "to choose 
some of the brethren skilled in singing, to lead the church 
and congregation in the service of singing praise to God." 
The first choristers chosen were Joseph Perkins, John 
Choate and Abraham Perkins. When the singers took 
their seats in the gallery this year, Watts' Psalms and 
Hymns were introduced as a substitute for Prince's Bay 
Psalm-Book which- had been in use before. Not long after 



1774—1800.] REV. JOHN CLEAVELAND, JR. 235 

this, Daniel Sanford taught a singing-school, and at the 
close of it, introduced his pupils to the singers' seats. 
They were so numerous that they filled all the seats of 
the front gallery. 

October 19th. Mr. John Cleaveland, Jr., the eldest son 
of the Chebacco minister, is ordained pastor of the church 
in Stoneham, Mass. He was born in Chebacco and was 
baptized in infancy, January 7, 1750 : 

" His father had originally designed to give him a public education, and 
fitted him for admission into Yale College ; but his low state of health pre- 
vented him from pursuing his studies there. Sometime after he had recovered 
his health, the Revolutionary War commenced, and his patriotism inclined him 
to join the continental army. He soon obtained a lieutenant's commission, 
and continued in the service until peace was obtained and the army was dis- 
banded. As a soldier and a subaltern officer, he sustained a fair and amiable 
character through the whole period of his military services. When he left 
the service of his country, he turned his attention to the work of the minis- 
try, for which his piety, his ' early acquaintance with the learned languages, 
and his general knowledge of men and things, concurred in various respects 
to qualify him. He was at no loss where to apply for theological instruction, 
and having read divinity a suitable time with his reverend father, he was ex- 
amined and approved as a candidate for the ministry, by the association of 
ministers in his native county. While a candidate, he preached in various 
places to general acceptance, and at length he received a call from the church 
in Stoneham, May 19, 1785, to become their pastor, which he accepted, 
September 17, 1785." 

As he was a native and a resident of this place, this 
church of which he was a member was one of those which 
were invited to sit in council at his ordination. Isaac 
Procter, Grover Dodge and Joseph Perkins were chosen 
delegates. His father preached the sermon from Acts xx. 
26: "Gospel ministers must be wise, faithful and exem- 
plary, in order to be pure from the blood of all men." 
His pastorate at Stoneham terminated October 23, 1794, 
and he was installed pastor of the North Church in 
Wrentham, June 6, 1798. His ministry there ended with 
his death by consumption, February 1, 1815, at the age of 
sixty-five. The Rev. Dr. Ennnons, the celebrated theo- 
logian, who was his neitrhbor and intimate friend, preached 



236 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

his funeral sermon, and paid the following tribute to his 
worth : 

" The one great object wliieh lay the nearest to his heart, was the good of 
souls ; and this dictated the subjects of his public discourses, and the manner 
of his public speaking. He had a good understanding of the gospel scheme 
of salvation, and knew how to set the most important doctrines in a clear and 
profitable light. His discourses were more solid than brilliant ; more senti- 
mental than declamatory ; and better adapted to assist the memory, enlighten 
the understanding, awaken the conscience and penetrate the heart, than to 
excite the admiration or gratify the vain curiosity of his hearers. His age 
had not impaired his mental powers, nor unfitted him for the service of the 
sanctuary. His sun did not set in a cloud, but in its full brightness. He 
retained the free and full exercise of all his rational powers, and his foith 
and hope in his Divine Redeemer, disarmed death of its sting and the grave 
of its terror." 

The "Panoplist" for February, 1816, also contained a 
sketch of his character, some of the most prominent traits 
in which are thus delineated : 

" Mr. Cleaveland was a man of a clear and discriminating mind, who, from 
the Bible as his unerring guide, formed his own theoretical and practical senti- 
ments, and who steadily and uniformly acted agreeably to them. He 
exhibited great propriety and consistency of character in every situation and 
circumstance of life. He appeared manifestly to act from principle, in all his 
public and private conduct, and to carry religion with him wherever he went. 
He devoted himself wholly to his work, and never suffered his secular con- 
cerns to interfere with his pastoral duties. These he diligently and labori- 
ously performed. He composed his sermons with care, expressed his thoughts 
with perspicuity, and delivered his discourses with tenderness, deliberation 
and solemnity, and without the least afiectation in language, in tone or in 
gesture." 

Mr. Cleveland was twice married, but had no children. 

1786-7. August 11th, Elder Seth Story died. He was 
the son of Dea. Seth Story, who succeeded Dea. John 
Burnham in Mr. Wise's day. Dea. Seth Story, was the 
son of William, who was the son of Andrew, who came 
from England, and settled in this place as early as 1636. 
He took up a large tract of land, extending from the 
southern part of Belcher's lane to the river, bounded on 
the east by White's Hill, and land of Dea. Thomas Low, 
on the south-west and west by land of Reynold Foster, 



1774—1800.] ELDEE SETH STORY. 237 

on the west and north-west by common land belonging 
to Ipswich. William's son, Seth, was married and lived 
with him, and on condition of his maintaining him the 
rest of his days, he conveyed to him by deed of gift the 
farm, which he inherited from his father. This deed is 
dated, April 13th, 1G93. This same year his grandson, 
Seth, w^as born, who lived nearly a hundred years on a 
part of the same farm, filled the office of elder in the 
same church in which his father had been deacon, and in 
which his brother Zechariah was deacon during the time 
that he was an elder. From these families have sprung 
a very numerous offspring, who have become related by 
marriages, to most of the families in the place. 

Owing to the exhausted state in which the country was 
left at the close of the war, business was interrupted and 
almost suspended ; many found it difficult to collect or pay 
their debts ; great numbers of suits were pending in the 
courts, the termination of which, threatened to involve 
many in embarrassment if not in imprisonment for debt. 
In the western counties of the state, the discontent was 
so great, that it broke out in open rebellion. About fif- 
teen hundred insurgents under Daniel Shays, who had 
been a Captain in the Continental army, entered Worcester 
on the 5th of December, 1786, and prevented the sitting of 
the Supreme Court there. On the 25th of December, hav- 
ing marched to Springfield he took possession of the court- 
house in that town, and closed it against the entrance of 
the Court. 

The insurgents demanded that the collection of debts 
should be suspended, and that the General Court should 
authorize the emission of paper currency for general cir- 
culation. To suppress this insurrection Gov. Bowdoin 
called out four thousand of the militia from the counties 
not disaffected. The quota of Ipswich was twentj^-five, 
seven of whom went from this parish. They were Lieut. 
Aaron Perkins, Sergt. Aaron Low, Daniel Burnham, Sam- 
uel Eveleth, Abraham Knowlton, Joseph Knowlton, and 



238 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

Edward Perkins. They were enrolled in " Capt. John 
Baker's company detached from Col. Nathaniel Wade's 
Eegiment." We have often heard them tell the story of 
their short campaign, which is in substance as follows : 

" We were enlisted for forty days, and ordered to meet in "Boston, the 19tli 
day of January, 1787. The cold was severe, and the winter was an unusu- 
ally hard one. But we were pretty well prepared to endure it, being 
young and well-clad. Soon after our muster on the common, we began our 
march, under Gen. Lincoln, for the valley of the Connecticut, where we ex- 
pected to have some warm work. News reached us on our way, that Gen. 
Shepherd, with a small body of western militia, was at Springfield, to guard 
the United States arsenal there, and that Shays, with two thousand insurgents, 
had entered the town, to take possession of the arsenal. He was repulsed, how- 
ever, and, as we approached Springfield, retreated before us, first up the river 
and then in a north-easterly direction to Pelham, where he encamped on the 
high hills, which were almost inaccessible by reason of the deep snow. We 
were marched back to Hadley, and kept in comfortable quarters a few days, 
the weather being very severe. When news came on the 3d of February, 
that the insurgents had started towards Petersham, we set out in pursuit at six 
o'clock in the evening, and marched during the night forty miles, facing a 
north-east snow-storm all the way. Early in the morning we entered Peters- 
ham, and taking them by surprise, captured one hundred and fifty of the 
number. We then marched into Berkshire County, and the rebels there 
dispersed without making any stand against us. After being under arms 
twenty days longer than the period of our enlistment, we were discharged 
and came home." 

The population of Chebacco, as taken by young Joseph 
Perkins this year, is 1200. 

James Perkins is chosen deer-reeve of Chebacco woods 
— the last election to this office, as few or none of the deer 
were found in our woods after this. 

1788. January 9th, a convention met in Boston, con- 
sisting of delegates from the respective towns of the Com- 
monwealth, to consider the Constitution of the United 
States as adopted in the National Convention and offered 
for acceptance to the several States. The delegates from 
Ipswich were Gen. Michael Farley, Daniel Noyes, Hon. 
John Choate and Col. Jonathan Cogswell. Mr. Choate, 
according to the record of the proceedings, addressed the 
Convention twice — first, in favor of the section giving to 



1774—1800.] MAJOK ANDEEW STOEY. 239 

Congress power to levy duties, excises, imposts, etc., and 
second, on the ninth section, concerning the power of reg- 
ulating trade, etc. On the 6th of February the Conven- 
tion " assented to and ratified the Constitution for the 
United States of America" by a vote of 187 to 168, all 
the Ipswich delegates voting in the affirmative. Before 
the close of the year the Constitution was adopted by all 
the States except Rhode Island and North Carolina, both 
of which ratified it not long after. 

March 18. Solomon Giddings, a deacon of the church 
in this parish, died in his seventy-fourth year, at the South 
Parish, where he had resided the last seven years of his life. 

Ma.]'. Andrew Story leaves this place with his wife and 
children, in a long wagon, painted red, covered with can- 
vas and drawn by two yoke of oxen, for a settlement in 
Ohio. They go in company with other families from Ham- 
ilton, Beverly and Salem. Maj. John Burnham, of this 
place, a descendant of the first settler of that name, and 
living on the same ancient homestead, a Revolutionary 
officer, is employed by the party to raise a company of 
sixty men, and march to Ohio to protect the new settlers 
from the Indians. He commences his tour, months in ad- 
vance of this party of emigrants. Some of the wagons 
bear upon the outside, in large letters : " For Marietta on 
the Ohio." They were eight weeks in performing the 
journey. So rough and steep were some of the hills in 
Pennsylvania, that the men had to carry a part of the 
load from the wagons to the top of the hill, before the 
oxen could draw the wagons up. The men slept in their 
wagons, while the women and children, or a part of them, 
often found a lodging in some house by the way. They 
carried with them their utensils for cooking, and experi- 
enced much hospitality, in being allowed to cook by the 
fires of the houses which they passed. Mr. Story and his 
family had special cause for joy and sorrow during the 
journey. They buried a child and had a child born. 
During one of the warm days of June, when the canvas 



240 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

was rolled up at the side, a lovely young son, leaning too 
far from the wagon, was precijaitated under the wheel and 
instantly killed. This so disheartened the father, that he' 
proposed to his wife to turn back. But her resolution ex- 
ceeded his, and she would hearken to nothing but pressing 
onward. The same resolute woman, when a widow of 
more than eighty years of age, made us a visit a few years 
since, performing the journey each way alone. Such was 
the beginning of Ohio from New England emigration. 
A State now containing more than two millions of inhabi- 
tants, had its origin, in these few covered wagons, that 
were seen winding their slow way, through many a town 
and village, a distance of more than seven hundred miles. 
1789. There is to be an exhibition of dramatic and 
single pieces, by the North School, in the meeting-house on 
the hill, in the evening. The house is brilliantly lighted, 
and many are hastening to witness the scene. As we 
enter we see before us a large and convenient rostrum, 
erected on the top of the pews, in front of the pulpit, with 
a carpet, and hung round with handsome curtains. Dr. 
Russ, the teacher of the school, is present, busy in super- 
intendino; the whole affair. The scholars have been thor- 
oughly trained by him, and drilled in their several parts. 
To avoid any interruption of their school duties, as well as 
to be more thoroughly prepared for the occasion, they 
have met for rehearsal at each other's houses. The design 
is to exhibit their proficiency in the art of speaking, and 
to furnish an intellectual entertainment which shall be 
gratifying to parents and all lovers of education. Among 
the numerous spectators, we see the pastor of the church, 
ever interested in the training of the young, the School 
Committee to whom is intrusted the cause of education, and 
the smiling countenances of many parents, whose beloved 
offspring are for the first time " to speak in public on the 
stage." Various dialogues, military, humorous and grave, 
are exhibited by the speakers, with appropriate dresses 
and implements of action. Several heroic and didactic 



1774—1800.] SCHOOL EXHIBITION". 241 

pieces, in prose and verse, are also pronounced, with a clear 
and full voice and suitable gestures. Portions of the 
speeches of Pitt and Burke in the British Parliament, 
in defence of our Revolutionary movements, are heard 
with great interest. " Romans, countrymen, and lovers ! 
Hear me for my cause," etc., is uttered with great spirit. 
Brutus and Cassius, are set forth in the military style, with 
much show of courage, and frequent reference to the broad 
sword. The speaking is considered by all as remarkably 
good. Parents are especially gratified, ^who see, in the 
juvenile performers, the military officers, or legislators, or 
judges of future days. We who have gone back for the 
occasion, in the car of time, can distinctly see future men 
and women in some of these boys and girls. There is 
Col. Andrews in miniature, and his wife, Elizabeth Good- 
hue. They are engaged in a dialogue together. Capt. 
James Perkins is before us, in the character of Washington 
or La Fayette, with a sword much longer in proportion to 
his coat, than when subsequently at the head of the Light 
Liflmtry. Elizabeth Cogswell appears upon the stage, 
under the eye of the teacher, and becomes the wife of the 
j)]iysician. We might mention others still living, and 
acting an honorable part on the stage of life, but we for- 
bear. We come back from the occasion, fully convinced 
that our fathers were not in the least behind the times 
in the matter of schooling, and that if we would surpass 
or even equal them, in proportion to our far more abun- 
dant means, we must do far more than we are now 
doing. 

October 30th. The President of the United States, 
.George Washington, on his tour to the North, visits this 
town. If we go with our fathers and mothers to the 
centre of the town, we shall have many to accompany us, 
some on foot, and some on horseback, every horse almost 
carrying double. The gathering in town is great. The 
continentals are all present to see their old General once 
more. A numerous cavalcade is formed to go to the Ilam- 

31 



242 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

let, and escort him to the body of the town. We see in 
that numerous body of horse, our minister, Mr. Cleaveland, 
now approaching three-score years and ten, yet with his 
large and muscular frame, sitting as erect upon the saddle 
as any young man. We wait patiently for their return. 
But we have not to wait long ; for the General is always 
up to the mark. The whole cavalcade is in sight, and, as 
they near us, every eye is fixed to discern the father of his 
country. An address is made to him expressive of grati- 
tude for his services, and bidding welcome to the hospitali- 
ties of the town ; to which he respectfully and briefly re- 
plies. A regiment is on the ground to do him honor, 
which, after dining at the inn, he reviews in military style. 
Having received many visits, and spent three hours in 
town, he takes his departure for Newbury. The vast mul- 
titude assembled cannot let him go without a special token 
of regard. They form a line on each side of the way, 
comprising men, women and children, and reaching through 
the village ; through the midst of these long lines of ani- 
mated countenances and grateful hearts, the General 
slowly rides, ever and anon making his grateful respects. 

1790. May 28th, Eleazer Craft, died, aged 78. He was 
the last of the ruling elders in Mr. Cleaveland's church ; 
and lived near the site of the late Richard Burnham's 
house, not far from the corner of the old and new road to 
Manchester. He was highly esteemed for his ardent piety 
and uniform Christian deportment. 

1791. July 7th, John Choate Esq., died of consump- 
tion, aged 54. He was born on Hog Island, 1737, a son 
of elder Francis Choate. His residence was at the North 
End, in the same house w^here his father died, now owned- 
and occupied by John Burnham. He was much in public 
life, for five years a representative to the General Court, 
feoffee of the Grammar school, and Justice of the Sessions 
Court. "A man highly respected in public and private 
life, for his abilities and integrity." 



1774—1800.] FOURTH MEETING-HOUSE. 243 

THE FOURTPI MEETING-HOUSE. 

1792-3. In July of 1790 the parish had voted to erect 
a new meeting-house, and at their meetings on the 2d, 
6th, 9th and 12th days of that month, they matured the 
whole measure and sold every pew. There was- consider- 
able difference of opinion, however, as to the proper loca- 
tion for it, some of the parish thinking that it ought to be 
placed on the corner near the gravel-pit. After many 
long and protracted discussions, it was finally agreed to 
build it on " meeting-house hill," where the South meeting- 
house stood. That building was accordingly taken down ; 
and the new house was raised on the 3d and 4th of July, 
1792. According to the testimony of the late Mr. John 
Choate, who remembered to have seen the house raised, 
although then only three years old, Capt. Jonathan Story 
was the master-builder of the frame and the outside, and 
gave orders at the raising. The tower up to the bell-deck 
was framed together on the common, and was raised to its 
place by ropes. The dimensions of the building were 
forty-four feet by sixty-two, and twenty-six feet post; 
height of bell-deck, sixty feet ; height of " ball," ninety 
feet ; tower, twelve feet square. A new bell was purchased, 
in j)art by subscription and in part by the sale of the old 
one. At the west end there was also a porch, admitting 
both to the floor of the house and to the galleries. On 
the floor of the house were fifty-three pews, and in the 
galleries twenty pews and a number of free seats. The 
pulpit was on the side opposite the street or main en- 
trance, and was reached by a flight of stairs. Behind it 
was a large, curtained window. Over it was a bell-shaped 
sounding-board, suspended by an iron rod from the ceil- 
ing. In front of the pulpit was the " elders' seat," reached 
from a landing on the stairs, and directly before that, but 
lower down, an enclosure containing the communion-table. 
There were no stoves in the building until the year 1819. 
The meeting-house was not completed until the Autumn of 



244 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

1793 ; and on the 8th of October, was dedicated to the ser- 
vice of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The pastor 
preached on the occasion from, Acts x. 33: "Now there- 
fore are we all here present before God, to hear all things 
that are commanded thee of God." The house was full of 
people. The sermon was appropriate and impressive ; the 
singing was conducted with great animation and power, the 
choir being led by Isaac Long of Hopkinton, N. H., one of 
the builders of the house. The text was inscribed on a tab- 
let and placed over the canopy of the pulpit. This tablet is 
now to be seen in the basement-room of the church. Forty- 
seven pews on the floor of the house and twenty in the gal- 
lery were sold for the sum total of £667.15 ($2,225.83). A 
list of the purchasers is before us, fifty-three in all, not one 
of whom is now among the living. 

The old North meeting-house, which had been built in 
1718, was standing as late as the 7th of November 1791, 
as is proved by an allusion to it in the " Chebacco School 
Records " of that date, yet, according to the testimony of 
several aged people, the Sabbath service, while the new 
house was building, was held in the barn of Dea. Jona- 
than Cogswell (the grandfather of Albert and Jonathan 
Cogswell). The pulpit was taken from the meeting-house" 
and placed in the middle of the " bay " between the two 
" floors," on the back side of the barn, and the scaftbld 
opposite to it on the front side, between the two barn- 
doors, was occupied by the choir of singers. 

1797. " April 3?tb. A letter-missive from the Second Church of Row- 
ley to this church, requesting the assistance of this church with such a num- 
ber of delegates as we shall choose, to join with a large number of churches 
in the ordination of Mr. Isaac Braman over them as pastor, being communi- 
cated, voted to comply with the request, but postponed the choosing a dele- 
gate till they should hear Mr. Braman preach a sermon or two. 

"May 28th, the church being stayed after divine service, p. m., having 
heard Mr. Braman preach to good acceptance three sermons, proceeded to 
choose our brother Thomas Choate as our delegate to go with our pastor to 
New Rowley to sit in Council the 7th of June next, to assist in the ordination 
of said Mr. Braman." 



1774—1800.] DEATH OF MR. CLEAVELAND. 245 

At the ordination of Rev. Mr. Braman, Mr. Cleaveland 
made the consecrating prayer. 

1798. "November 18th. A letter-missive from the Third Church in 
Newbury to the Second Church in Ipswich, requesting the assistance of our 
pastor with delegates, in the ordination of Mr. Leonard Woods to the pas- 
toral office in that church, being communicated to the church by the pastor 
this day, the church voted to comply with the request, provided the weather 
at this late season of the year and our aged pastor's health will admit of at- 
tending the council. And our brother Abraham Perkins, being nominated 
as delegate of this cliurch to go with our pastor, was chosen." 

This is the last record in Mr, Cleaveland's handwriting. 

1799. April 22d, the Rev. John Cleaveland departs 
this life, after a long, faithful and successful ministry. He 
was 77 years old, the day on which he died. He was born 
in Canterbury, Connecticut, April 22, 1722. In early life, 
he exhibited a taste for books, and a contemplative mind. 
Having passed through the preparatory course of study, 
he entered Yale College at the age of 19. While a mem- 
ber .of this Institution, he exhibited on a trying occasion^ 
that independence and moral courage for which he was 
distinguished in after life. Although the cause of Mr. 
Whitefield, doctrinally considered, was gnly Puritanism 
revived, it was conducted by measures deemed subversive 
of the established order of the churches, and was on this 
account obnoxious to the government of Yale. Ignorant^ 
however, that he was violating any rule of the College 
in so doing, young Cleaveland, when at home in vacation 
in company with his parents and friends and a majority of 
the members of the church to which he belonged, attended 
a meeting of Separatists and listened to the preaching of 
a lay-exhorter or " new-light preacher " as the followers of 
Whitefield were called. On his return to college at the 
beginning of his Senior year, he was arraigned for this 
offence, and required to confess that he had done wrong. 
On refusing he was expelled from College. As some 
atonement for the injury thus inflicted, the government of 
the college unsolicited conferred on hhn his degree in 



246 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

1764, and recorded his name among the graduates of his 
class — the cLass of 1745. Soon after his dismission from 
college, he was licensed to preach ; and it was in conse- 
quence of that zeal for the old doctrines and the new 
m^easures, which the treatment he had received had 
awakened in him, that he was invited to preacli to the 
Separatist Society in Boston, meeting in the Huguenot 
Church in School street " where the expatriated Bowdoin's 
and Amory's had before worshiped." The call however, 
which that Society gave him, after he had been their 
acting pastor for two years, he declined. But very soon 
after he accepted the invitation of the " Newly-gathered 
Congregational Church " in Chebacco, and was ordained 
their pastor when at the age of twenty-five. About the 
same time he received the honorary degree of Master 
of Arts from Dartmouth College. In this parish he con- 
tinued in the fiiithful discharge of the duties of the min- 
istry for more than fifty-two years. His last sickness, as 
we were informed by a member of the family, was vehe- 
ment and of short duration. He was aware that th'e 
time of his departure was at hand ; spake of it with calm- 
ness and Christian resignation : yea, more, he desired to 
depart and be with Christ. His conversation with those 
who visited him at this time, and with his family, was in- 
structive and impressive. He often joined with them in 
social prayer, and expressed his full confidence in the God 
of his salvation. With this lively confidence and peace- 
ful serenity, he descended into the vale of death, and, as 
we doubt not, was received up into glory. His funeral 
was attended by a large collection of people. The Rev. 
Dr. Dana of the South Parish, preached on the occasion 
from II. Kings ii. 12. The parish voted eighty dollars for 
the expenses of his burial. 

Mr. Cleaveland's first wife and the mother of his chil- 
dren, was Mary, the only daughter of Parker Dodge, of 
the Hamlet. Her mother was Mary Choate, born on Hog 
Island. Of her grandchildren, one was a minister of the 



1774—1800.] ME. CLEAVELAND'S APPEARANCE. 247 

Gospel, and two were physicians. Of her great grand- 
children, one was a professor in Bowdoin College, two are 
. ministers, one a pastor's widow, and one a lawyer at New 
York. We mention these among the products of the 
Island. Mrs. Cleaveland died of a cancer, April 11, 1768, 
in her fortj^-sixth year. Mr. Cleaveland married for his 
second wife, Mary, widow of Capt. John Foster of Man- 
chester. She died at Topsfield, April 19, 1810. An ad- 
dress was delivered at her funeral, in our parish church, 
by Rev. Asahel Huntington of Topsfield. The names of 
Mr. Cleaveland's children were Mary, John, Parker, Ebe- 
nezer, Elizabeth, Nehemiah, and Abigail. 

Mr. Cleaveland resided from the year 1749 to the close 
of his life on what is now called Spring Street, in an an- 
cient mansion, which stood on the spot now occupied by 
the house of Hon. David Choate. His farm included all 
the land now belonging to this homestead. It was bought 
for his use and benefit, by a number of his parishioner?, 
and became his, as from time to time he paid the original 
value, without rent or interest. 

In his personal appearance, Mr. Cleaveland was tall, yet 
of fine proportions and very erect, of a florid countenance, 
blue eyes, firm in his gait even to old age, moderate in his 
motions, but of great muscular strength and activity. He 
had a most amiable and benevolent eye, and was a man 
into whose face everybody loved to look. He usually con- 
versed in a low tone of voice, was social and pleasant, 
abounding in facts which he related at times with great 
animation, was grave, instructive and impressive, when 
occasion so required. He could sometimes, however, forego 
the dignity of the ministerial character and amuse himself 
and others. He had a lady in his church who was strongly 
suspected of neglecting to read her Bible. In order to • 
satisfy himself of the fact, when one day on a visit at her 
house, he watched his opportunity, while she was out of 
the room, and put her spectacles, (not having bows upon 
them,) into her Bible, and closed the book. The very 



248 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

great length of time that elapsed before the finding of 
the spectacles, but too plainly proved the suspicion well 
founded. 

In his public performances, Mr. Cleaveland usually be- 
gan in a low tone, but would soon raise his voice, to a sten- 
torian pitch. So powerful and distinct was his utterance 
that persons sitting at an open window on the opposite 
side of the street, when the windows and doors of the 
church w^ere open, have distinctly heard the greater part 
of his sermon. Before the close of his sermon, which 
commonly occupied an hour or more in the dehvery, most 
of the men in the Winter season, impelled by the cold, 
would be upon their feet, still listening however, with close 
attention to the end. His discourses were chiefly extem- 
pore, from brief notes containing the heads and some of 
the leading thoughts. We have in our hands some of 
these briefs, written almost one hundred years ago, con- 
sisting of four pages : each four inches long, three wide, 
and containing the date when the sermon was preached, 
the text, some ten or twelve heads and many leading 
thoughts, in a hand so small as scarcely to be legible. His 
delivery was accompanied with appropriate gestures, fre- 
quent and energetic, his hand descending upon the cush- 
ions, with such power as to drive sleep from the most 
drowsy hearer. We have been told by clergymen, his 
contemporaries, that he was esteemed one of the most 
popular and instructive preachers of the day. He was a 
diligent student and an able writer, as his published pam- 
phlets fully testify. The light in his study was usually 
burning at a late hour. The subjects on wdiich he was to 
preach, were carefully and thoroughly digested. He 
never offered that, for a sacrifice to the Lord, which had 
cost him nothing. As his memory w^as not so prompt in 
his last years, he began then to write out his sermons in 
full, instead of trusting to brief notes, yet his manner in 
the pulpit, was still lively and vigorous. On the last Sab- 
bath but one before his death, he preached with his usual 



1774—1800.] ME. CLEAVELAND'S .CHARACTER. 249 

animation and energy. His familiarity with the Scriptures 
was proverbial. 

" His prayers were congenial with his sermons. ' Without a careful and 
orderly arrangement of topics, they were the effusions of a heart in close com- 
munion with God, and carried with them the affections of his hearers. Mr. 
Cleaveland's character was uniformity. While he constantly held intercourse 
with heaven, he consecrated particular days to private fasting and prayer. 
With him, love to the Savior and to the souls for which he died, was the ab- 
sorbing sentiment. This was habitually manifest in methods altogether unos- 
tentatious yet impossible to be misunderstood. He thus secured the consci- 
entious approbation of the community generally and the warm love of the 
pious. Though his life was spent for the most part in comparative seclusion, 
his good influence was felt much beyond the immediate sphere of his labors."* 

Through life he tenaciously maintained that freer sys- 
tem of ecclesiastical order, and that stricter system of evan* 
geHcal doctrine, which characterized the advocates of Mr. 
Whitefield in New England. From convictions of duty 
he contended zealously for what he believed to be the truth 
and right, whenever occasion required. During no small 
part of his ministry, therefore, he was obliged to maintain 
somewhat of a controversial attitude. Besides his printed 
pamphlets in his controversy with Mr. Pickering, he after- 
wards published : 

" An Essay on important Principles of Christianity, with Animadversions 
on Dr. Jonathan Mayhew's Thanksgiving Sermon;" A Rejoinder to Dr. 
Mayhew's Reply ; " A Justification of the Fourth Church in Ipswich, from 
the Strictures of the Rev. S. Wigglesworth of the Hamlet, and the Rev. 
Richard Jaques of Gloucester;" "An attempt to nip in the bud the un- 
scriptural Doctrine of Universal Salvation;" "A Dissertation in support of 
Infant Baptism;" and "Defence of the result of a late Council at Salem 
against Dr. Whittaker's Remarks." 

Yet all his intercourse with his fellow-men was marked 
by affability, candor and kindness. Such was the benevo- 
lence of his heart, the mildness of his manners, the con- 
sistency of his deportment, that under his ministry, two 
churches which had been long at variance were brought 
to a permanent union. No higher encomium could be 

*Rev. Dr. Dana in Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit. 
o2 . 



250 HISTORY OF ESSEX. * [Chap. 4. 

passed upon his conciliatory manners and uniform pro- 
priety of conduct. 

Mr. Cleaveland's authorship was not confined to his 
controversial tracts. Among his other pubhshed produc- 
tions were "A Narrative of a Revival of Religion in the 
Fourth Church, Ipswich," and "A Sermon at the Ordination 
of Rev. John Cleaveland, Jr., at Stoneham." In 1774 he 
wrote several political articles for the^ Salem Gazette. 
Others upon the state of the country and its interests ap- 
peared in the same paper from time to time down to 1798 
from his pen, over the signature oi'^ Johannes in Eremo." 

Oh the 2d of June following. Rev. Dr. Parish of By- 
field, by request, preached a sermon to the bereaved 
^hurch and congregation, on the occasion of his death. 
The text was Psalms cxvi. 15. The concluding portion of 
the discourse was as follows : 

" The confines of time do not bound the hopes or joys of man. Beyond 
the veil of death the regions of immortality invite his attention. From the 
deserts of life, the City of God presents Edens of delight, palaces of glory, 
thrones of honor. To the piercing eye of faith, the prospect is real, the 
objects are distinguishable, the view is ravishing. As from Pisgah's summit 
the Hebrew Lawgiver beheld the promised land, Gilead, and the snowy 
tops of Lebanon, the vale of Jericho and the city of Zoar; so the Christian 
surveys the New Jerusalem, her walls of jasper, and her gates of pearl. 
He no longer trembles at the approach of the king of terrors. Often he de- 
sires to depart. Serene and pleasant are his last hours. The ch6irs of 
heaven participate in the blissful scene. Cheerfully they leave their thrones 
to hover round the dying saint, to soothe his last moment, to convoy his holy 
spirit to his final home, to the bosom of his God. God himself delights in 
the departure of his people from the dreary wilderness of mortality. Is 
not this subject calculated to aftord comfort to_ mourners contemplating the 
departure of a Christian friend ? And does not the subject address itself 
with particular emphasis to this assembly. The faithful husband, the tender 
parent, the kind neighbor, the laborious minister, the man of universal be- 
nevolence, is no more. But is it not great consolation that he believed and 
obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ? May not a transient recollection of his 
character revive in your minds the delightful impression, that his death was 
precious in the sight of God ? 

" In that period which is apt to be dazzled with the charms of popular ap- 
plause, he voluntarily bore the cross, and suffered reproach for what he con- 
ceived the cause of truth and vital religion. Scrupulous in his ideas of right 



1774—1800.] FUNERAL SERMON. 251 

and wrong ; ardent in his feelings ; daring in his temper ; he followed the 
convictions of his own mind, little regarding what might be the impression 
upon others. Though of a mild spirit, he was decided in his opinions ; 
though gentle in his manner he was independent in h'is conduct, never was he 
snared by the fear of man. 

"That he was a person of consummate prudence, of irreproachable con- 
duct, we have ample evidence in the union which has taken place under his 
ministry, between the two churches and congregations, which now compose 
this Society. At first he was minister of only one of those, when very prob- 
ably both possessing the spirit of the times might not unjustly be compared to 
two clouds, which at every moment disgorge the thunder, and dart terrific 
flames ; but by the attractive influence of him whose death we all deplore, 
the clouds, dissolving lost their awful form, the storm was hushed, the dark- 
ness fled. The gentle shower, the peaceful bow succeeds. This union under 
him seems not unnatural, when we recollect his pleasing address, his meek- 
ness of temper, the suavity of his manners, and the uniform propriety of his 
deportment. His life was such as carried conviction to every acquaintance 
that he was a man of unaffected goodness. 

"He was a careful observer of Providence, being in the habit of seeing 
God in every event. Every circumstance he viewed as a providence of God, 
constituting a necessary part of a great, a glorious whole. This belief 
soothed his mind in the darkest hour. The Bible was his constant com- 
panion. He was a scribe well instructed in the sacred oracles. . They 
seemed to be treasured in his memory, and with great pertinency he applied 
texts to different characters and tastes. His industry was uniform. His 
knowledge of men and things general and extensive. A particular and 
tender affection he had for his brethren in the ministry. With the most cor- 
dial hospitality he welcomed them to his dwelling. Most punctual in all 
his engagements, nothing but necessity could prevent his being with them at 
their stated meetings. And rarely did he retire from their society without 
giving a word of timely instruction, of pious advice, of paternal admonition. 
Active and enterprising, he repeatedly, left the silence of his study for the 
din of war ; the joys of domestic peace, for the dangers of the bloody field. 
Four years of his life as chaplain of her forces were devoted to his country. 
The waters of Champlain, the rocks of Cape Breton, the fields of Cambridge, 
and the banks of the Hudson, listened to the fervor of his addresses. 
Though he rigidly reproved profanity and vice of every kind, such was the 
mildness of his manner, that he seldom or never gave offience. To him 
another species of warfare was still more familiar. For a great part of his 
life, he was frequently engaged in polemic disputes. He was wont to contend 
for what he believed 'the faith once delivered to the saints.' But this did 
not in the least sour his temper, ruffle his spirit, or excite that asperity which 
is too frequently the effect of religious controversy. Charity and good nature 
were prominent features of his character. As a minister, he was laborious 
and successful, never sparing himself when duty called to action. Zealous 



252 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 4. 

in bis religious performances, he was apparently the means of awakening and 
comforting many. A son of thunder to the wicked, an angel of consola- 
tion to the pious, he saw much fruit of his instruction. One period of so- 
lemnity was remarkable. The word of the Lord was powerful. In a short 
time a goodly number, a cloud of witnesses, was added to the church, who 
were their pastor's comfort while living, and we trust will be his crown of 
rejoicing at the great day. An impassioned lover of his country, he viewed 
with horror the disorganizers of the world, with sacred indignation he con- 
templated those who defend, or apologize for their conduct. In his opinion 
to make an excuse for a nation of atheists was irreligious and anti-Christian. 

" As a father, tender and indulgent, he carefully instructed his offspring in 
the great doctrines and duties of Christianity. By his example and precept 
he taught them to be useful, to be happy aud respectable here, and blessed 
hereafter. He commanded their affection and perfect esteem. He reigned 
in their hearts. 

" With the companion of his youth, and the worthy consort who closed 
his eyes, he lived in the most endearing harmony. To lose such a friend, 
husband and minister is distressing. It would be more than insensibility not 
to mourn. For a friend like him Jesus wept. But is it no cause of thank- 
fulness that such a blessing has been enjoyed so long? Has not such a per- 
son been highly favored of the Lord ? The tears of grief are wiped away 
by the spirit of gratitude. Those circumstances which enhance the loss, heal 
or soothe the bleeding heart." 

On Mr. Cleaveland's tombstone, in the old graveyard, is 
the following inscription : 

THIS MONUMENT 

PERPETUATES THE MEMORY AND SINGULAR VIRTUES OF THE 

REV. JOHN CLEAVELAND, A. M., 

Who died April 22d, 1799, which day completed 
HIS 77TH YEAR. 

" He was ordained to the pastoral office in this place, February 25, CO. S.,) A. D. 
1747, and for more than fifty-two years was eminently a faithful Watchman, being 
ever ready and apt to teach. His zeal and attention to the duties of his office, 
evinced the purity of his motives. His mind was richly stored with useful science, 
and in the Holy Scriptures he was eminently learned. His undeviating virtue com- 
manded respect, and confirmed the hope of his blissful immortality. 

" His soul, released from cumbrous clay, 
Expatiates in eternal day ; 
And with the great Jehovah dwells, 
Who, wonders new and vast, reveals." 

Of the officers of Mr. Cleaveland's Church, Dea. Choate 
and Dea. Giddings removed to Ipswich before the close of 
his ministry, and only two of the others survived him — 



1774—1800.] DEA. THOMAS BUENHAM. 253 

Dea. Thomas Burnliam, who died the next month (May 
18th), aged seventy-two, and Dea. Jonathan Cogswell, 
(elected April 7, 1780), who died February 12, 1813,1iged /^/'^ 
eighty-six. The youngest of these officers died at the age 
of seventy-two ; the eldest (Dea. Story), at the age of 
ninety-three. Dea. Burnham was the last of the deacons 
who " lined " the psalm or hymn and " set the tune." In 
addition to his services as school-teacher, he was much em- 
ployed in writing wills and deeds and in settling estates. 
His house was not far from the dwelling of the late Capt. 
Moses Andrews. 

The number of members who withdrew from Mr. Pick- 
ering's church and formed Mr. Cleaveland's in 1746, was 
32 ; received from the Second Church at the time of union 
in 1774, 15 ; other admissions during his ministry, 187 ; 
total, 234; remaining at Mr. Cleaveland's death, 47. 

Nov. 13th. Rev. Josiah Webster was ordained pastor 
of the church as successor to Mr. Cleaveland. Rev. 
Stephen Peabody of Atkinson, N. H., preached the ordi-- 
nation sermon. 



CHAPTER V. 

1800 — 1819: 

BEING THE YEAR OF THE INCORPORATION OF CHEBACCO AS 
THE TOWN OF ESSEX. 

1800. At the close of the eighteenth century the popii- 
lation of Chebacco had increased from three hundred to 
more than eleven hundred, and instead of one school dis- 
trict there were three. Progress in educational matters 
was now further indicated by the erection of new school- 
houses. At the Falls one was built in 1800, in accordance 
with a vote passed "at a meeting of the school proprietors 
held at the house of Mr. Isaac Allen," February 24th, at 
which meeting Capt. Jonathan Story was moderator, and 
Capt. Nathaniel Burnhani and Messrs. Jacob and Elisha 
Story were appointed a building committee. In accord- 
ance with another vote passed at that meeting, this build- 
ing was erected on the spot where the old one stood, (the 
first school-house at the Falls and built in 1761.) This 
location was near the dwelling of the late Nimrod Burn- 
ham. The second school-house on the south side of the 
river was also built by proprietors, the next year (1801), 
and was located on land bought of Joshua Burnham, and 
situated '" on the easterly side of the Gloucester road at 
the parting of the way to Gloucester and Manchester." 
On the 15th of April of the same year, " the subscribers 
to a new school-house " in the North district, at a meeting 
of which Mr. Ebenezer Low was moderator, voted to erect 
a building suitable for a " reading and writing school, of 
the following dimensions : twenty feet square and nine 
feet post, with a chimney and six windows, with a hyp'd 
Eough" (i. e., a hip roof,) and to place it "on or near the 



1800—1819.] SOCIAL LIBEARY. 255 

spot where Mr. Goodhue's ale-house formerly stood," i. e., 
a few rods north-east of Jonathan Low's. The cost of the 
building was divided into thirty shares. The building 
committee were George Choate, Esq., and Messrs. Samuel 
Giddings and Samuel Hardy. 

1802. A social library is established here. The com- 
pany at its formation, consists of thirty-four men, compris- 
ing the physician, the minister and many of the leading 
men of the parish. But they have all since gone to their 
graves, save one. The library contained an excellent se- 
lection of books, and was of great utility in disseminating 
knowledge and promoting a taste for reading. It contin- 
ued in active operation for more than forty years, and 
contained at one period, four hundred volumes. When 
books became cheaper and found their way into families, 
as. a part of the household furniture, and more especially, 
when newspapers and periodicals began to multiply, and 
to constitute the principal part of family reading, the 
" Social Library " was more and more neglected, until at 
length its existence became merely nominal. 

1803. February 28th, Joseph Perkins, Esq., died at 
Salem. He was born July 8, 1772. His jDarents, at the 
time of his birth, resided in the ancient house now owned 
by the heirs of John Choate. His father, Joseph Perkins, 
built the large house directly opposite the North Church. 
His ancestors, both on his father's and mother's side, were 
among the early settlers of this place.* When about four- 

* PARTIAL GENEALOGY OF THE PERKINS FAMILY. 

1. William Perkins emigrated to Ipswich about 1633. 

2. John Perkins, born in England and emigrated with his father. 

3. Isaac Perkins. 

4. Abraham Perkins, born about 16G8 ; John Perkins, graduated at college in 
1695, died in 1740. 

5. Joseph Perkins (son of Abraham), born March 12, 1720 (0. S.) ; married Eliza- 
beth Choate (born August 2, 1723, and a daughter of Lieut. Thomas Choate) ; died 
April 4, 1805, aged 85. He was one of the founders of the Sixth Parish (He v. Mr. 
Cleaveland's), was its clerk from its organization until its union with the Second 
Parish, and its treasurer for the most of that time. In the school records he is styled 
an innholder. 

6. Joseph Perkins, born September 3, 1752; married his cousin Mary Foster (born 



256 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

teen years of age, he began the study of Latin in the dis- 
trict school, no objection being made by the district, and 
the teacher kindly favoring it, by devoting to him extra 
time. We may say, therefore, with propriety, that this 
eminent lawyer and scholar was indebted to the district 
school for his literary career, just as the majestic river 
must be traced, back to its bubbling fountain. Before he 
was seventeen years of age, he entered Phillips Academy 
at Andover, where he was soon known for his studious 
habits, and proficiency in the learned languages. He re- 
mained there a little more than a year, and then in 1790 
entered Harvard College, at the age of eighteen. His 
college life was one of uncommon brilliancy, as a correct 
scholar, close thinker, and popular writer and speaker. 
Several of the productions of his pen, written in the early 
part of his college life, were published in the Massachu- 
setts Magazine, the only literary periodical then printed 
in Boston. At the early age of twenty, he seems to have 
become a regular contributor to this work, in addition to 
all his college duties. His essays and orations at the pri- 
vate exhibitions of his class, which he has left in manu- 
script, show great maturity of thought and strength of 
mind. It had long been the custom at Harvard for the 
Sophomore class to challenge the Freshmen to a wrestling 
match, a challenge which the Freshmen must accept, or 
endure worse evils. This custom was the source of much 
difficulty, and was deeply deplored by the friends of the 

March 13, 1752, and a daughter of John Foster, born August 7, 1724, and Mary 
Choate Foster, born June 24, 1731) ; died February 1, 1806, aged 53. He had 
twelve children, four of whom died in infancy or early youth. The names of the 
others were as follows : 

7. Joseph, Esq., the subject of tliis stetch, "born at the mansion-house of my 
grandfather, July 8, 1772," died February 28, 1803 ; John, born June 7, 1774, " mar- 
ried February 19, 1801, Lydia, daughter of the late Capt. William Choate," died 
May, 1856 ; Elizabeth, born November 28, 1777, died May 19, 1806 ; James, born 
January 2, 1780 ; Mary, born October 22, 1781, died August 7, 1801 ; Jeremiah, bora 
April 15, 1785 ; Sarah, born July 17, 1787, died May 25, 1804 ; Aaron, born August 
26, 1789. 

8. Children of John : Thomas, Mary (married U. G. Spofford), Sarah (married 
John Burnham), Lydia (married John Cressy), Clara (married E. W. Burnham), 
Harriet Cmarried Oliver Burnham). 



1800—1819.] JOSEPH PERKINS, ESQ. 257 

college. But who shall break up a time-honored custom, 
to which so many impulsive young men are strongly and 
passionately attached ? It I'emained for a lad from one 
of our district schools to effect this, simply by the power 
of his ])en. He wrote and delivered before the college, a 
satirical piece, entitled an apology for wrestling, and the 
custom was never heard of afterwards. At the close of 
his college course, in selecting the performers for " Com- 
mencement Day," the government of the college placed 
him at the head of his class. Among so many scholars, who 
afterwards distinguished themselves in the various walks 
of life, this was no small honor for our Chebacco student. 
On that occasion, he pronounced an oration on Eloquence, 
which was universally admired. It was afterwards pub- 
lished in the monthly magazine, and of it the editors say : 

" The following oration delivered on the day of public commencement at 
Harvard University, we are happy to insert in our magazine. The applause 
with which the delivery was received, the intrinsic excellence of the perform- 
ance, and a wish to make our monthly museum a repository of knowledge 
and useful entertainment, unite in an inducement to present it entire to the 
patrons of our publication." 

After leaving College at the age of twenty-two, Mr. 
Perkins became an assistant in Phillip's Academy at Ex- 
eter, over which the late Dr. Abbot presided with so much 
celebrity for a long succession of years. He remained as 
teacher in this Academy only one year, during which time, 
he gave some attention to the law, under the direction of 
Hon. Oliver Peabody of that place. From Exeter he went 
to Gloucester, Mass., and took charge of a Proprietors' 
School in that place for one year. At Gloucester, also, he 
read law, under the direction of John Rowe, Esq. In the 
Autumn of the year 1796 he began to read law at Salem, 
in the office of William Prescott, Esq., a distinguished atr 
torney. In July of the following year, he pronounced an 
oration on Genius at the public commencement at Cam- 
bridge, and took his honorary degree of Master of Arts. 
On the following October, having read law for three years, 

33 



258 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

he was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in Salem. 
His first case in the practice of law, was before the Court 
of Common Pleas, when he addressed a jury for the first 
time in behalf of Marcus Feely, a young Irishman, in- 
dicted for theft. He was successful in the case, and Feely 
was acquitted. June 2, 1798, he married Miss Margaret 
Orne, daughter of Timothy Orne of Salem. By her, he 
had one son. His wife lived only about two years after 
their marriage. Of her death, he speaks in his journal in 
an affecting manner, bearing testimony to the excellence 
of her character. In 1801, he was appointed attorney for 
the country. In 1802, July 4th, his only son died in this 
place. In his journal, the father makes the following entry : 

" My son, Timothy Orne, died at my father's, in Chebacco, where he was 
on a visit, aged three years, four months and six days, after an illness of five 
or six days. I was with him during his last painful night ; and he expired 
before my eyes. Thus I am stripped of all. But the Lord gave, the Lord 
hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. His body was carried 
to Salem in the evening, and deposited in the Orne family tomb with the re- 
mains of my dear, departed wife." 

The next entry in his journal relates to the death of his 
mother here. 

"I was prevented," he says, "by indisposition from visiting her for ten 
days before her death, and was unable to attend her funeral. Thus within 
two years and a half I have been deprived of a Moved wife, a kind grand- 
mother, an affectionate sister, an only child, and a dear mother. Have pity 
upon me, ye my friends, for the hand of the Lord hath touched me." 

This bears date August 5, 1802, and on the next Feb- 
ruary he himself departed from this world to another, at 
the age of thirty years. He died of consumption, which 
was doubtless aggravated, if not brought on, by his do- 
mestic sorrows and trials. He was a communicant at the 
Episcopal Church in Salem, and an officer in that church. 
His pastor, the Rev. Mr. Fisher, preached a sermon on the 
occasion of his death from I. Cor. xv. 53 : " This mortal must 
put on immortality." He thus speaks of the deceased: 

•' Endued by nature with a clear and solid judgment, with a disposition 
formed to please, and with an heart to do good, great, and justly so, were 



1800—1819.] JOSEPH PERKINS, ESQ. 

the expectatious of his friends concerning his progress and usefulness in life. 
Possessed of an enlightened mind and a pure heart, his abilities were equally- 
applicable either to elegant literature or professional studies. With an un- 
derstandine which felt its own strength, he decided whatever came before it 
with promptitude and propriety. He was peculiarly happy in communicat- 
ing his ideas and in illustrating his conceptions. On whatever subject he 
conversed, he discovered modesty, taste and correctness. His humanity and 
benevolence were so active and conspicuous as to interest him sincerely in the 
welfare of all about him, and to engage their respect and esteem in return. 
Though sober and temperate in all the habits of his life, and given to se- 
vere application in the duties of his profession, he delighted in the convivial 
society of his friends. In all the domestic relations of life, such as that of a 
son, brother, father, husband, lover and friend, he felt and was governed by 
the tenderest of charities. His rectitude and integrity will remain forever 
unimpeached and revered, even by hypocrisy and dissimulation themselves. 
Although emulous and coveting the best gifts, the improvements and graces 
of others could excite in him no envy. He felt a strong sense of religious 
truths, and gave the most unequivocal proofs of his possessing the faith of a 
Christian by living in obedience to the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel." 

In one of the Salem newspapers, soon after his death 
appeared a sketch of his character, of which the following 
is an extract : 

"With an undeviating rectitude of heart, and stability of understanding 
in his practice he was indulgent without weakness, and firm without severity 
He was clear and cool in debate, and the tones of his voice sweet and musical 
He always examined his propositions and opinions with great care and ia 
dustry, and if he retained them with firmness, he had adopted them with cau 
tion. Patient and laborious in study, ardent and accurate in investigation 
with a penetration of mind that permitted nothing valuable to escape it, and 
a tenacity of memory that suffered nothing useful to be lost ; he had added 
the solidity of science to the natural beauties of his native genius, and would 
have ripened ' m his season ' to be an ornament to the bar, as he was of so- 
ciety. In private life he was amiable and exemplary. To the attainments 
of the scholar were united the accomplishments of a gentleman. His man- 
ners were retired without moroseness, and polished without the false re- 
finements of fashion. His conversation was interesting and instructive, as 
he mingled in it the fruits of the study, unmixed with its pedantry. With a 
countenance and features of a manly and pleasing conformation, he possessed 
a well-formed person, and was calculated to embellish polite society. Atten- 
tive to the duties of religion as well as to the domestic and social duties, 
' modern degeneracy had not reached him ; ' he exhibited constant evidences 
of his belief in the holy scriptures, and a uniform practice of the sacred doc- 
trines enjoined in them." 



260 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

1804. About this time forty sail of boats were engaged 
in the fishery on the Eastern shore ; a few were employed 
in the Bank' fishery. The fishing business diminished as 
ship-building increased and was found more profitable. 
The former was mostly discontinued about 1821. 

1805. December 19th, the physician of this parish, 
Dr. Parker Russ, died in the thirty-seventh year of his 
age. Dr. Russ was born in this place ; a descendant of 
"Master" Rust the first school teacher. He was the son of 
Joseph and Mary Rust. His father died when he was 
quite young. His widowed mother married Rev. Paul 
Park of Preston, Ct., and removed there with her son, 
then three years old. Parker received his education in 
Connecticut, and remained there until prepared to prac- 
tice medicine, when he came to this place, about the year 
1788, and succeeded Dr. Davis, as the physician of the 
parish. The first Winter of his residence here, he taught 
the North school with great success. He resided in the 
ancient Rust house, where he was born, now owned by 
William H. Mears. In 1800, December 14th, he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., who died 
June 5th, 1803. Dr. Russ was well-skilled in his profes- 
sion, and successful in his practice. Integrity, decision and 
energy were prominent traits in his character. 

Dr. Reuben D. Mussey succeeded him as physician of the 
place. He came while Dr. Russ was sick, a short time before 
his death. His first lodging was in a tavern, kept by Amos 
Burnham, on Thompson's Island. Dr. Mussey was born 
in Pelham, N. H., June 23, 1780 ; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1803, studied medicine with Dr. Nathan Smith 
of Hanover, N. H. He continued here in successful prac- 
tice for a few years only ; became a member of the church 
here, and officiated as its clerk. In September, 1808, he 
went to Philadelphia to attend a course of medical lec- 
tures. On his return, he settled in Salem, and continued 
in full practice there till 1814, when he was appointed 
professor at Dartmouth College. In 1838 he removed to 



1800—1819.] DR. MUSSET. 261 

Cincinnati, where lie was appointed professor in the med- 
ical college. Dr. Mussey left many warm friends here, 
some of whom still live. He made them several visits, 
after removing his residence from town, and on one occa- 
sion lectured in the North Church, on the deleterious 
effects of chewing and smoking tobacco or using it as 
snuff, as tending to destroy health and shorten life.* Dr. 
Mussey was succeeded here by Dr. Thomas Sewall. 

1806, February 15. From a document still extant, it 
appears that an effort was made to build a school-house 
and establish a school somewhere in the center of the 
parish, for the study of Latin a part of the year, and 
English studies another part. This was to be a sort of 
high school, into wdiich all the older scholars of the place 
were to be admitted, while the district school-houses were 
to be used for primary schools, to be taught by females. 
The project received the approbation and patronage of 
several in remote parts of the parish, as well as of some 
in the center. If it had been carried into execution, it is 
our opinion that education among us would have been 
advanced by it more than half a century. We insert the 
document, with the subscribers' names : 

" Whereas the inhabitants of Chebacco are deprived of the advantages of 
the Grrammar (Latin) school in the town of Ipswich, the distance being so 
great that we cannot send our youth to it ; and thinking it necessary, that 
they should be instructed in grammar ; and as there is no school-house in 
this parish, in a suitable place, for such a purpose, it is thought advisable to 
build a school-house in some central place to accommodate a (Latin) Gram- 
mar school a part of the year, and a school with the common English studies 
another part, leaving the district school-houses to school dames in the sum- 
mer, and likewise to accommodate singing schools. 

" Therefore, we, the subscribers, do engage to pay for the several shares set 
to our respective names for the purpose of erecting and completing a school- 
house on that piece of land granted by tlie Commoners in 1729, for that pur- 
pose ; said house to consist of forty shares ; and as soon as thirty shares are 
engaged, the subscribers to meet in some suitable place, to agree upon the 

* Dr. Mussey was a member of the Faculty of Dartmouth College from 1814 to 
1838, — the first six years of that time Professor of the Theory and Practice of 
Medicine and of Materia Medica, and afterwards Professor of Anatomj' and Sur- 
gery. He died at Roxbury, Mass., June 21, 1866, aged 86. 



262 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

plan of the house, the method of building it, and to act upon any other 
business relative to the same, that may then be thought necessary. 
''Chebacco, Februanj 15th, 1806. 

"Subscribers' Names: one share to each name, viz., William Holmes, 
Jonathan Cogswell, George Choate, Jonathan Story, Jacob Story, Abraham 
Perkins, Moses Marshall, Thomas Burnham 3d, Moses Marshall, Jun., 
Thomas Choate, Thomas M. Burnham, David Choate, Jonathan Cogswell 
3d, John Perkins, Daniel Low, Abner Burnham." 

On the 6th of March, a military company was organ- 
ized, called the " Ipswich Light Infantry." A petition to 
the General Court for leave to form such a company hav- 
ing been presented and granted in January, the following 
order was issued from head-quarters : 

" February 26th. The Commander-in-Chief being authorized by a re- 
solve of the General Court on the petition of John Perkins and others, and 
having the advice of Council thereupon, orders that there be raised by vol- 
untary enlistment, a Light Infontry Company in the town of Ipswich in the 
Second Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division of the Militia, to be 
annexed to said Regiment, and subject to the rules and regulations estab- 
lished by law for governing and regulating the Militia. By order of the 
Commander-in-Chief, William Donnisaw, Adj. Geii." 

April 4th, a constitution prepared by Jonathan Cogs- 
well, Jr., as committee was adopted and signed. The 
preamble is as follows : 

" We, the subscribers, do enlist and agree to form ourselves into an asso- 
ciation or company to be called the Ipswich Light Infantry ; and as it is in- 
dispensably necessary for the promotion of good order and discipline that we 
should meet frequently in private, and as the existence of the company de- 
pends on the most implicit subordination, — in order to enforce it and to 
strengthen the bond of our union, do hereby establish, in addition to the 
general provisions of the law, the following articles." 

The number of members at the formation of the com- 
pany was thirty-two. The uniform was " a short blue coat, 
trimmed out with red, with a collar and facing ; dimity 
pantaloons, waistcoat with red seams and binding, black 
half-gaiters, and Grecian caps." Knapsacks and canteens 
were afterwards obtained. Its first officers were as follows : 
Jonathan Cogswell, 3d, Captain ; John P. Choate, Lieuten- 
ant; Jeremiah Choate, Ensign; Sergeants, Solomon Choate, 



1800—1819.1 



REV. MR. WEBSTER. 263 



John Perkins, Thomas Burnham 3cl, Caleb Marshall. Octo- 
ber 20th, the company made their first appearance at "gen- 
eral muster " with a band of music from Salem. Captain 
Cogswell continued to command the company until 1810, 
when he was elected Colonel of the regiment. -His suc- 
cessors down to the year 1826, so far as appears from the 
company records, were John P. Choate, William Andrews, 
Joseph Choate, James Perkins, William Choate, Joshua Low. 
Eev. Josiah Webster having requested a dismission, a 
mutual council is called, and by their advice his pastoral 
relation is dissolved, July 23. Mr. Webster was much be- 
loved by his church and people, who deeply regretted his 
leaving them. At his settlement, the parish gave him 
$500 as a donation, or settlement, as it Avas called. His 
annual salary was $334, and the parsonage. As the cur- 
rency diminished in value, his salary became insufficient. 
The parish voted to add $100 from year to year as should 
be found necessary. The pastor was satisfied with the 
addition, and only insisted that it should be made a part 
of the original contract. The parish thought their pastor 
should have confidence in their good will, to vote the ad- 
dition yearly, along with the rest of the salary. This, 
however, did not satisfy, and the parish will, as is usually 
the case, becoming stouter and stronger, the result was as 
stated above. Mr. Webster was afterwards settled in 
Hampton, N. H., June 8, 1808, where after a quiet and 
successful ministry, he died March, 27, 1837, aged sixty- 
five. In the twelfth volume of the American Quarterly 
Register was published a biographical sketch of him, from 
which the following extracts are taken : 

"Rev. Josiah "Webster, the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Webster, was born 
in Chester, N. H., January 16, 1772. His father was a farmer, barely in 
circumstances of comfort, with patient, laborious industry, providing for the 
wants of a large family, and therefore unable to furnish more than a common 
school education for his children. Josiah, the eldest, in his sixteenth year 
went to reside with an uncle, whose affairs he managed in his many and long 
absences. But for a long time he had felt a strong desire to become a minis- 
ter of the gospel, and though he had acquired only sufficient property to de- 



264 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

fray the expense of preparation for college, and was distressed and discouraged 
by the opposition of his friends, in his nineteenth year he repaired to the 
Eev. Mr. Remrnington, of Candia, under whose hospitable roof he began his 
studies. Afterwards he spent a year under the tuition of that eminent Chris- 
tian, Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, and completed his preparation at the 
academy in *A.tkinson. It was at Kingston that he indulged the hope of rec- 
onciliation to God, and of the commencement of the Christian life. A deeper 
consciousness of sin than he had ever felt before, pressed upon his heart, so 
full of distress and alarm, that for several days he was unable to pursue his 
studies. After a season of deep conviction, light broke out upon his mind, 
' like a morning of Summer just as the sun rises, when the winds are hushed, 
and a solemn but delightful stillness prevails everywhere and the face of na- 
ture smiles with verdure and flowers.' From Atkinson he took a journey 
of more than eighty miles to Dartmouth College, for the mere purpose of 
examination and admission to college. His poverty prevented his i-emaining 
a single week to enjoy its advantages. Returning to Atkinson, he pursued 
his studies under the instruction of the preceptor, Stephen P. Webster, till 
the Spring of 1795, when with little improvement in the state of his funds, 
he rejoined his class in college, and completed his first year. At the close 
of the vacation, though disappointed in every effort to raise money among 
his friends, he once more set his face towards college. By a mysterious 
providence of God he fell in company with a stranger, who, learning his 
condition, without solicitation offered to relieve his necessities by a loan of 
money to be repaid whenever his circumstances should permit. The traveler 
was afterwards ascertained to be a merchant of Newburyport. After gradu- 
ating in the year 1798, he studied theology with the Rev. Stephen Peabody, 
the minister of Atkinson, about a year, and was then licensed to preach the 
gospel by the Haverhill Association. Soon after, he was invited to preach 
as a candidate in Chebacco parish, Ipswich, where, November 1799, he was 
ordained. After his dismission from that pastorate on account of the inade- 
quacy of his support, he was invited to preach to the church at Hampton, 
N. H., and was installed there, June 8, 1808. During his ministry at 
Hampton there were several revivals of religion, as the fruit of which one 
hundred and seventy persons were gathered into the church. It deserves to 
be recorded to the lasting honor of Mr. Webster, that he perceived the evil 
effects of the use of ardent spirits, at a period when even the eyes of good 
men, were generally closed to the subject. Almost from the first of his min- 
istry he preached against intemperance, and for years before the temperance 
reformation, observed entire abstinence from all that intoxicates. He was 
also deeply interested in the cause of education. To his influence and agency, 
the academy in Hampton, one of the most respectable and flourishing institu- 
tions in the State, is indebted for much of its character and usefulness. At- 
tached to the faith and institutions of our fathers, the doctrines of grace he 
understood* and loved, and preached to the very close of his life. His last 
public act was the preaching of the sermon at the ordination of his son, Rev. 



1800—1819.] LIGHT INFANTEY CELEBEATION. 265 

John C. Webster, at Newburyport, as seaman's preacher at Cronstadt, Rus- 
sia, March 15, 1837. Anxious to perform the service assigned him on that 
occasion, he made an effort his impaired health was unable to sustain. The 
day following he returned home, and taking his bed, remarked, that he 
thought his work on earth was done. 'Well,' said he, 'if it be so, I 
know not with what act I could close life with more satisfaction.' He died 
of inflammation of the lungs. During his sickness, his mind was often 
alienated, but in lucid intervals he uniformly expressed confidence in the 
mercy of God, and cast himself upon the blood of atonement. His funeral 
sermon, preached by the Rev. Dr. Dana, is highly commendatory of his 
ministerial qualifications, devotion to his proper work, and his extensive useful- 
ness. Mr. Webster published five discourses delivered on different occasions. " 

Mr. Webster's wife was Elizabeth Knight of Hopkinton, 
N. H. Of their seven children, two were natives of Che- 
bacco. Eliphalet Knight was born May 3, 1802, studied 
medicine at Dartmouth College, and has been for many 
years a physician in Boscawen, N. H. Josiah, Jr., was born 
October 25, 1803, spent his life as a farmer, and died of 
cholera in Princeton, 111., September 3, 1852. His other 
sons graduated at Dartmouth College. John C. became 
pastor of a church in Hopkinton, Mass. ; Col. Joseph D. 
was chief of Gen. Grant's staflf at the battle of Pittsburg; 
Landing, in the late war, and was a most efficient officer 
in turning the tide of battle there ; and Dr. Claudius B. 
became the Principal of a Seminary in Norwich, Ct. 

A private way over land of Samuel Hardy, running 
partly to Hog Island, is laid out this year. • 

1807. The Fourth of July is celebrated by the Light 
Infantry and citizens of Chebacco generally, by a parade 
and public exercises in the meeting-house. By their in- 
vitation an oration is delivered by Dr. K. D. Mussey, to a 
large audience. A part of the closing address of this ora- 
tion (which was published at the request of the hearers) 
is as follows : 

" Gentlemen of the Light Infantry: I am happy to address you on the 
present occasion. The patriotic zeal, the generous ambition, the noble ardor, 
which prompted you to unite, and devote to the acquisition of military skill, 
more time and expense than usual, have met the applause and best wishes ot 
all your friends. They view with pleasure the spirit of harmony which has 



266 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

prevailed among you, and the handsome improvements and respectable ap- 
pearance you have made. They have the fullest confidence that you will 
always maintain the honorable ground you now hold, and that your deport- 
ment will always draw admiration and respect from your military brethren. 
Much of the safety of a free people depends on such men as you ; I mean 
on a well disciplined militia. It is undoubtedly a true maxim, that ' the 
way to keep peace is to be ready for war.' You will not suffer idleness and 
amusements to unstring all your powers, and prepare you for base servitude. 
Study the ' hardihood of antiquity,' and cherish those masculine habits, which 
give firmness and strength to the body, resolution and ardor to the soul. 
Cincinnatus could drive the Volsci and JEqui from his country, after harden- 
ing his muscles at the plough. May you never be called into action, and 
may the din of battle never again be heard on the fields of Columbia. But 
you have enemies who watch your freedom as a panther watches a roe ; and 
the voice of your country may cry ' to arms, to arras.' You will- not then 
hesitate. Your Eagle and Indian will be the place of rendezvous. You 
will rally round that standard, and pour out your lalood before it shall be 
touched by the polluted hand of despotism. Let yours be the cause of re- 
ligion and genuine liberty, you need not fear. Remember the trophied glories 
of Marathon. There a handful of gallant Athenians put to flight the vast 
legions of Persia. Remember Leonidas and his three hundred intrepid 
Spartans, who, at the narrow pass between Thessaly and Phocis, cut their 
way into the midst of the millions of Xerxes, spread terror, like a cloud, over 
his whole host, and saved their country from fire and sword. 

" Think of the dear-bought liberties you now possess. Think of Lexing- 
ton, Bunker-hill and Monmouth, and the many patriots who fell in the heat 
of battle, or sunk away amid the ten-fold horrors of a lingering dissolution in 
loathsome prison-ships. Look round on this assembly. Behold your vener- 
able fathers, whose locks, now white with years, once ' whistled to the wind 
of British bullets ' to purchase the independence you now celebrate, the 
festive joys of this day. You cannot, you will not part with a gem for which 
such a price has been paid." 

1808. March 26th, David, the son of William and 
Mary Choate, departed this life in the fiftj^-first year of 
his age. He was born upon Hog Island, November 29, 
1757. He inherited his father's farm on the island, and 
lived there till 1800, when, still retaining his farm, he pur- 
chased the parsonage, so many years occupied by Mr. 
Cleaveland, and built a new house on the same spot. 
His first wife was Mary, daughter of Dea. Jonathan 
Cogswell, who died about two months after her marriage. 
In 1785, February 22, he married Miriam, daughter of 



1800—1819.] MR. DAVID CHOATE. 267 

Capt. Aaron Foster, by whom he had two daughters and 
four sons, and who survived him more than forty years. 
Mr. Choate was highly esteemed for his talents and 
acquirements, his integrity and public spirit. He was 
deeply interested in the cause of education ; and at dif- 
ferent times, taught the school both on the north and 
south side of the river. He was also active and influ- 
ential in promoting the political welfare of the country, 
as appears from the following extract from a letter ad- 
dressed to the author by Hon. Asa W. Wilder, of New- 
burj^port : 

" From the late Dr. Cleaveland of Topsfield, I understood that Mr. Choate 
(David) was member of a convention (whether in relation to the adojDtion of 
the Constitution of Massachusetts or that of the United States, I am unable 
to say) ; that he was a prominent debater, and wrote much in the papers over 
the signature of ' Farmer ; ' that Mr. Choate became known as the writer 
over that signature, and that being attacked by some leading debater, he 
(Mr. Choate) defended and sustained the ' Farmer ; ' that, in one instance, 
the late Chief Justice Parsons himself was thought to be the writer. Mr." 
Parsons wa* aware that some of the insinuations and innuendoes of the speaker 
were intended for him ; and immediately after the debate had closed, Mr. 
Parsons (letting it pass so far as the authorship was charged to him,) went 
to Mr. C, saying, 'If I were the author," as some would seem to think, you 
have defended and sustained the position of the "Farmer" better than I my- 
self could liave done.' I think there can be no doubt, that what I have 
above related must have taken place in one of the many public conventions, 
— which one, I have no means of knowing. I recollect distinctly the Doctor 
stating the fact of what Mr. Parsons said to Mr. Choate. The occasion of 
his mentioning it, was in reference to the distinguished talents of Rufas 
Choate, about the time he came to the bar." 

The following obituary notice, from the pen of Dr. Reu- 
ben D. Mussey, appeared in the Salem Gazette : • 

" Mr. Choate was a man of uncommon intellectual endowments. To a 
quick and accurate perception, a ready and full recollection, he added d. judg- 
ment ever ready to decide, and was never under the necessity of making more 
than one decision on the same subject. From childhood, books were among 
his dearest companions, ^and though denied the advantages of a regular edu- 
cation, he arrived at a degree of improvement often unattained by men of 
the first opportunities, and possessed talents which would have been an honor 
to a statesman. In the social circle, none were his superiors. Without any 
eiForts to draw attention, he had the admiration of all around him ; and if 



268 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

envy herself ever raised a sigh at his power of pleasing, she immediately 
lost it in a.less ungenerous emotion — the love of being pleased. The learned 
found instruction and amusement in his company, and the ignorant went away 
satisfied that they were persons of information, because they had been con- 
versing easily on subjects before unknown to them. His friendship was firm 
and unabating. The man who possessed his confidence had a safe deposit 
for the most important facts, and such facts gained much in value, by being 
thrown into such a deposit. His attachment to his family was ardent and 
tender. As a husband, he was all that the best of wives could desire ; as a 
father, all that a fine family of children need. He lived, the friend and sup- 
porter of virtue, order, and steady habits, and died in hope of a happier 
state, through the mercy of a Redeemer. A widow, five children, and the 
whole town lament his death." 

April 5th. A new religious society is formed, called 
the Christian Society. From its first records, we learn that 
it had its origin in the preaching of some Methodist min- 
isters,* which seems to have had considerable effect upon 
the minds of a few persons, and they united together for 
private religious meetings. Afterwards, " Elder H. Pottle 
preached several times. The people were attentive to 
hear and appeared serious while hearing. He baptized 
two. Early in 1806 Mr. John Eand visited this place and 
spent some time in preaching and in holding religious 
meetings. His preaching appeared to be attended with 
considerable effect." On the 28th of March, twenty-two 
persons, who had been previously baptized, " were em- 
bodied as a Church of Christ by Elder Elias Smith, Elder 
Abner Jones and Brother John Rand." They adopted 
the name of " Christians, in accordance with Acts xi. 26 ; 
and in general the system of belief held by that denomi- 
nation, agreeing to lay aside all the party names now in 
fashion among professors, with all the creeds, articles of 
faith, platforms, church covenants and everything contrary 
to the New Testament." A house of worship was built in 
1809, and owned by proprietors. This was taken down in 

*Uea. Aaron Burnhara once said the first preaching of the kind he heard was at 
Manning's factory building in Ipswich. He told his wife, on coming liome, he had 
heard something hke one of the old prophets. It was upon his personal invitation, 
that Messrs. Rand, Elias Smith, Elders Jones, Stinchtield, and others left I].7swicli 
and commenced holding meetings at Chebacoo. 



1800—1819.] THE CHEISTIAN SOCIETY. 269 

1843. Mr. Rand preached to this society about seven 
years. During the first eight years the church continued 
to receive some accessions. "It ceased to exist as an 
active organization near the close of the year 1827." 

Sometime in this year a second road to the Falls was 
built. It extends from the old road near Foster's brook 
over the hill south-westerly, joining the " old road " again 
near the houses of Abraham Perkins and Andrew Burnham. 

1809. The Second Parish having been without a settled 
minister two and a half years, gave a call, together with 
the church, to the Rev. Thomas IJolt, to be their minister. 
This call he accepted, and was installed pastor of the 
church, January 25th. Rev. Dr. Samuel Austin of Worces- 
ter preached on the occasion ; Rev. Daniel Tomlinson of 
Oakham offered the consecrating prayer ; Rev. Dr. Dana 
of the South Parish gave the charge, and Rev. Mr. Kim- 
ball of the North Parish, the right hand of fellowship. 
Mr. Holt was esteemed a sound, scriptural preacher. But 
after hearing him two or three years, his parishioners be- 
gan to complain of a want of sufficient variety in his dis- 
courses, which they first imputed to his not writing them. 
They therefore chose a committee to wait on him and 
request him to write his sermons. With this he complied, 
but as the evil in their judgment was not removed, they 
respectfully requested him to resign. With this also he 
complied, and on the 20th of April, 1813, he was honor- 
ably dismissed by a Council. The parish gave him $100 
to defray the expense of his removal, and he returned to 
his farm in Hardwick where he was formerl}^ settled, and 
where he died. Mr. Holt was born in Meriden, Ct., No- 
vember 9,1762: graduated at Yale College, 1784: con- 
tinued there most of the year ensuing, in the ^tudy of 
theology, and then removed to North Haven, where he 
finished his preparatory studies for the ministry, with 
Rev. Dr. Trumbull, and was ordained at Hardwick, June 
25, 1789. He resigned his pastorate there, March 27, 
1805. He died in 1836, aged 74. 



270 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

1811. The bridge over our river, and the causeway 
connected with it, were much out of repair. At full tide 
it was very difficult, and at times impracticable for trav- 
elers to pass. This was a great inconvenience and detri- 
ment, not only to the people of this place, but also to 
people passing to Gloucester from other towns. Several 
attempts having been made by partial repairs to remove 
the evil, but without effect, the town voted $1,500 for 
thorough and efiectual repairs. The county appropriated 
the same amount. But $3,000 not being sufficient, the 
town added $1,000 mores^and it is believed that the county 
added nearly as much more, making the whole cost of 
bridge and causeway, as it now stands, not much less than 
$5,000. A new bridge was built some two or three rods 
south-westerly of the old one, a new piece of road opened 
to it from the top of the hill, about one half of the cause- 
way built anew, and the old part joined to it and leading 
to Thompson's Island, thoroughly rej)aired. One of the 
abutments of the old bridge is still seen east of the mill. 

1812. February 12th, died Dea. Jonathan Cogswell. 
His fother, William Cogswell, was the eldest son of Lieut. 
John, and Mrs. Hannah Cogswell, was born September 24, 
1694, and was married, September 24, 1719, to Mary, 
daughter of Capt. Jonathan Cogswell. This Lieut. John 
was born in 1650 and died in 1710 ; was the son of Wil- 
liam, (born in 1619, and died in 1701,) and the grandson 
of John Cogswell, the first settler of that name, (emigra- 
ted in 1635, and died 1669.) Dea. Cogswell was born 
May 9, 1725, and was married, December 28, 1752,/to Mary, 
daughter of Benjamin Appleton. He was seven years 
old when his father built the present mansion now occu- 
pied by' Albert and Jonathan Cogswell. Dea. Cogswell 
had thirteen children, several of whom died young. His 
farm descended to his sons, the late Benjamin and Aaron 
Cogswell. Benjamin was born August 15, 1766, and died 
January 17, 1841. His children were Polly, (Mrs. Win- 
throp Low,) Salh^, (Mrs. Daniel Cogswell,) Jonathan and 



1800—1819.] DIVISIOIS" OF THE SOUTH DISTEICT. 271 

Humphrey C, also Abigail, who died young, and Abel, 
who died very young of croup. Aaron was born Decem- 
ber 28, 1771, and died July 20, 1847. His children are 
Aaron, Albert, Lucy, (Mrs. Aaron L. Burnham), and Jona- 
than. On the " Cogswell Coat of Arms," in the possession 
of Mrs. Aaron Cogswell, is the following inscription : 

" These Arms appertaineth to the name of Cogswell, being tirst granted 
to Lord Humphrey Cogswell in the year 1447 from whom it descends to the 
ancient family of Cogswell." 

From Dea. Cogswell's uncle Nathaniel (born 1707, died 
1783) have descended Dr. William, died 1831, aged 70, 
(and his son — Rev. Dr. William, died 1850, aged 62,) Dr. 
Joseph Cogswell, born 1764, died 1851, (and his son Rev. 
Eliot Colby, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1838.) 

In the company of militia drafted from the Second Reg- 
iment for three months' service, and stationed at Gloucester 
during the Autumn of this year, were eight men from this 
place : Sergeant, Abel Andrews ; Privates, Benjamin An- 
drews, Charles Andrews, Samuel Andrews, Ezra Burnham, 
Joshua Burnham, John Butman, William Lufkin.* 

The number of pupils in the three schools in the parish 
had increased, in 1811, to 296, — 83 in the North District, 
107 at the Falls, and 106 in the South-east District. Partly 
on account of this large number in the last mentioned 
district, and partly because of the great distance of many 
families from the school-house, the people on the south 
side of the river take measures this year for a division of 
their district. Accordingly a petition, signed by Moses 
Burnham and others, was presented at town meeting on 
the 17th of March, and referred to a committee, consisting 
of Maj. Joseph Swasey, Jabez Farley and George Choate, 
Esquires. The report of this committee in favor of a di- 

* The following named soldiers belonging to Chebacco, also served in the same 
company at Gloucester for the same time, viz : Moses Andrews, Ebenezer Andrews, 
Elisha Eurnham, Isaac Burnliam, John Durang, Edward Lee, John Lull, Matthew 
Vincent ; also Nathaniel Burnham, Jr., Moody Cogswell, and John Harlow, Jr., 
served as soldiers in Marblehead, in the company of Lieut. Pritchard, for three 
months. 



272 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

vision into tliree districts, was adopted, May 13th ; and 
the " division," subsequently made by the same committee 
in obedience to the direction of the town, was adopted, 
November 12th. It was as follows : 

" No. 1. The Island, and extendino- alona; the Manchester road as far as 
Levi Andrews' house, and on the Gloucester road as far as John Cogswell's 
bouse, both included ; also, Nathan Burnham's and Elias Andrews' houses ; 
all the inhabitants within said limits, with their estates, shall make one dis- 
trict by the name of Thompson's Island * District. 

"No. 2. Beginning at Seth Burnham's house, and extending on the 
Gloucester and Squara roads to the Gloucester line, including the house be- 
longing to the heirs of Francis Burnham, Jr., deceased ; and all the inhabit- 
ants within the described limits, with their estates, shall make one school 
district by the name of the Chebacco Eastern School District. 

"No. 3. Beginning at William Cogswell, Jr's., on the Manchester road, 
extending to the Manchester line, including the house of Daniel Andrews 
on the north side of the road, and Samuel Groton on the south side of the 
road; and all the inhabitants not included in the districts No. 1 and 2, with 
their estates, shall form one district by the name of the Chebacco South 
School District." 

At this time the Thompson's Island District contained 
thirty-six ratable polls, the South District twenty-eight, 
and the East District, sixteen. The first meetino; of the 
Thompson's Island District was held November 30th. Elias 
Andrews was moderator, and Thomas M. Burnham, clerk. 
In accordance with a vote passed at this meeting, the 
school-house of the old South-east District, with the land 
under and adjoining, which had been built in 1801, and 
owned by proprietors, was now purchased of them for 
$304, and became the district school-house. 

1813. The first meeting "of the legal voters of the 
East School District was holden by lawful authority, at 
the house of Mr. Ebenezer Burnham," March 2d. William 
Lufkin was moderator, and Capt. John Butler, clerk. Vo- 
ted to build a school-house sixteen feet by twenty, and to 

* Thompson's Island was so called from one Joseph Thompson, who purchased 
the whole of it of John Cogswell, Jr., son of the first settler, and lived near the 
spot where is now the house of William Burnham, 4th. He subsequently sold it to 
Thomas Burnham, Joseph Burnham, Aaron Low, and Benjamin Marshall, and re- 
moved to the State of Maine. 



1800—1819.] COL. JON"ATHAN CdGSWELL, JR. 273 

raise the sum of $200 for that purpose. Ebenezer Has- 
kell, John Procter and Ebenezer Burnham were chosen 
building committee. At a meeting held March 30th, the 
site of the present school-house was selected as the proper 
location, and the house was erected this year. 

December 21st. A meeting of the South School Dis- 
trict, called by the selectmen at the request of several 
voters, was held, of which William Cogswell, Jr., was clerk. 
It was voted to raise $150 for the purpose of procuring a 
district school-house. 

October loth. Deceased, Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Jr. 
He was born July 14, 1783, — 

" The only son of Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., who has been long known 
to us from his usefulness in public life. Early in life Col. Cogswell pre- 
pared himself for a university education, but for want of health was un- 
der the necessity of relinquishing his design. Endowed, however, with 
good native genius, by industry and application to private study, he be- 
came well-versed ifl modern literature. We believe but few of his age better 
understood our political relations. Had Providence designed him for longer 
life, we might have expected important services to his country. To the mili- 
tary he was a promising acquisition. In 180G, he was active in instituting, 
and was chosen commander of a company of Infantry in his town, whose har- 
mony and discipline have ever been an ornament to the regiment to which it 
belonged. In 1810, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the regi- 
ment. This office he sustained with honor to himself, and had the approba- 
tion of all under his command. Naturally modest, unassuming, none but 
his intimates knew his real worth. In private, he was respected and loved by 
all who knew him. In life, he was exemplary. In bis illness, which was 
short but distressing, he was patient, and in death yielded up his spirit, trust- 
ing in the merits of an all-sufficient Saviour. Perhaps but few instances of 
mortality are marked with circumstances so afflictive to the surviving relatives. 
With them we drop the tear of sympathy. His remains were interred with 
military honors, attended by the officers of his regiment, a band of music, 
and the company of infantry he formerly commanded. A numerous eon- 
course of citizens from this and the neighboring towns, followed in the pro- 
cession of the mourners, with great solemnity and decorum." 

1814. The amount of school money expended by the 
town for Chebacco this year was as follows : North district, 
$158.52; Falls, $124.13; Thompson's Island, $48.73; South 
$41; East, $40,17; Hog Island, $27,77; Total, $440,32. 

August 10th. The Second Church and Parish, havino: 

35 ' ^ 



274 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

extended a call to settle -with them in the ministry to Mr. 
Robert Crowell of Salem, who had supplied their pulpit, 
the great part of the year after Mr. Holt left them, he is 
this day ordained as their pastor. The council for ordi- 
nation assembled in the house of George Choate, Esq., the 
same in which the council for the settlement of Mr. Cleave- 
land had convened sixty-seven years before. The services 
of the occasion, were as follows : Introductory prayer by 
Eev. Mr. Thurston of Manchester; sermon by Rev. Mr. 
Abbot of Beverly, ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Holt of Ep- 
ping, N. H. ; charge by Rev. Dr. Dana of this town ; right- 
hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Kimball of this town, and 
concluding prayer, by Rev. Mr. Emerson of Beverly. Dr. 
Hopkins of Salem was moderator, and Rev. Mr. Kimball, 
scribe. The council was composed of eleven churches — 
eleven ministers and ten delegates. Dr. Worcester of Sa- 
lem, the pastor of the candidate, was present, and would 
have preached the sermon, but for a mistake that had been 
made, then too late to be corrected. The council objected 
to a condition in the call of the parish, viz., that the contract 
between the parish and the minister might be dissolved at 
the option of either party, after having given six months' 
notice of such an intention. The objection was, that such 
a condition would naturally tend to invite a separation, 
and make the ministerial relation of short continuance. 
But the relation has continued more than forty years, and 
no inconvenience has resulted from the condition." The 
officers of the church since this ordination have been as 
follows : Deacons, Nathan Burnham, Samuel Burnham, 
(1821), David Choate (1828), Francis Burnham (1834); 
Treasurer, Samuel Burnham (1821); Clerks, David Choate 
(1823), Caleb Cogswell (1863). 

September 14th. The town vote that the Committee of 
Safety superintend military affairs, and purchase what is 
needed. They also vote this year, that the drafted men, 
who by themselves or substitutes have been in actual ser- 
vice, shall have wages made up by the town, with govern- 



1800—1819.] CELEBRATION OF PEACE. 275 

ment pay, to fifteen dollars a month, as long as they con- 
tmiie in service. 

British frigates are seen from our hills in the bay, and 
not far from our islands. But there is no report of their 
landings and consequently no " Ipswich fright." 

1815. February 17th, peace is proclaimed, and our lit- 
tle community take measures for the due celebration of 
the occasion. An address on peace is to be delivered in 
the afternoon, and a supper provided in the evening. The 
pastor of the Congregational Church is invited to give the 
address. The Light Infantry Company is under arms, 
commanded by Capt. Joseph Choate, and in due form, they 
escort the speaker from his house to the church, and back 
again, after the services. The entertainment in the eve- 
ning is provided by John and James Perkins, whose house 
opposite the church, is brilliantly illuminated. A numer- 
ous company sit down at their tables, and peace and good- 
will crown the social board. 

May. The first Sabbath-school is commenced among 
us in the Congregational Church.* The only teacher, for 
the first few months, is the pastor. The school is opened 
at the ringing of the first bell in the morning, and the hour 
spent in a general exercise, consisting of the rehearsal 
of passages of Scripture, and remarks by the teacher. 
In the Autumn, the school is arranged in classes, with a 
teacher for each class, the pastor acting as superintendent. 

October 19. Dea. Stephen Choate, died of a cancer. 
He was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Choate, was born 
on Hog Island, 1727, and baptized November 5th, of the 
same year. In 1757, he married Mary, daughter of David 
Low, who died in 1768. In 1765, he was chosen Deacon 
of the Fourth Church. In 1770 he married Elizabeth 
Potter (a widow), who died in 1814. He had nine chil- 
dren by his first wife, and four by his second. He was 
frequently employed in town business^ was feoffee of the 

* A less formal beginning of a Sabbath-school had been made in the Autumn of 
1814 by the pastor, as is well recollected by aged persons, some of whom attended. 



276 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

Grammar School; on the Committee of Correspondence 
and Inspection in the Revolution ; Justice of the Sessions 
Court; Eepresentative from 1776 to 1779 inclusive; a 
Member of the Senate from 1781 to 1803, inclusive. He 
removed his relation from the church here, to the South 
Church, in 1783. "He so improved the honors of this 
world, as to render himself more influential in adorning 
the religion of his Savior." 

1816, June 12th. About this time the weather was 
more remarkable for the degree of cold prevailing, than 
was probably ever before experienced at this season of the 
year. The snow fell more than once, and ice was seen one- 
fourth of an inch thick. In Williamstown, Vt., the snow 
on the 8th inst. was twelve inches deep. It was seen on 
the neighboring mountains for several days. " Great coats 
•and mittens," says a letter from that quarter, "are almost 
as generally worn as in January, and fire is indispensable." 
There was frost every month of the year, and the corn 
crop here was wholly cut off. Corn was sold at two dol- 
lars per bushel. 

In the Autumn of this year, a debating society was 
formed, which met weekly and continued till all the cus- 
tomary questions before such bodies were fully discussed 
and decided. The physician and minister of the parish, 
John and James Perkins, Capt. Joseph and Col. J. P. Choate, 
Dr. Asa Story, afterwards of Manchester, the late Jonathan 
Story, Esq., and several others were members of the club. 

1817. Graduated at the Dartmouth College Medical 
School, Asa Story. He was the son of Capt. Jonathan 
Story, and was born July 20, 1794. He was fitted for col- 
lege at Atkinson Academy, N. H., and entered Dartmouth 
College in 1813, but at the close of his Sophomore year 
was compelled to leave on account of disease of the eyes. 
Ngt long after, he began the study of medicine in his na- 
tive place with Dr. Thomas Sewall. He also studied for 
a time Avith Dr. Shattuck of Boston, and attended the 
usual courses of medical lectures at Hanover, N. H., in 



1800—1819.] DE. ASA STORY. 277 

1816 and 1817. Entering upon the practice of his pro- 
fession in Wenham, he removed after a short time to Fred- 
eric City, Md. After a residence of a year or two there, 
he returned to this State, and commenced practice at Man- 
chester, in 1820. There he spent his Hfe, continuing in 
the active duties of his profession until a week before his 
death. He died February 11, 1860, of consumption of the 
blood. He was a faithful, kind, and skillful j)hysician. A 
man of extreme diffidence which was never fully over- 
come, his worth was not immediately appreciated by 
strangers. But as a neighbor and citizen, he was very 
highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen. To the welfare 
of the town where his professional life was spent, he con- 
tributed his full share of time, influence, and means. For 
a long time, he served on the school committee, with great 
credit. He was also, during the larger part of his resi- 
dence in Manchester, a member of the Orthodox Congre- 
gational Church and Society. To all benevolent causes 
he gave liberally. He was married April 22, 1823, to 
Miss Eliza B. Farnham, of Newbury, who, with several 
children, survived him. 

The new road to Manchester is opened this year. The 
Court of Sessions meet at Manchester to consider and de- 
cide on the necessity and expediency of such a road. 
Much opposition is made to it by Ipswich town. One of 
the Court, Dr. Parker Cleaveland of By field, passing 
through this place to Manchester,, invites the pastor to 
accompany him. On entering the woods by the old road, 
the naked rocks and ledges are so prominent that there 
is no other way of safety for man or carriage, but for the 
Doctor to hold up the chaise with both hands, while the 
minister leads the horse, and this for the space of about 
a mile. This argument in favor of a new road is so sen- 
sibly felt by the Doctor, that he gives his decision before 
reaching the court; the woods re-echo and confirm it, and 
Ipswich has no argument, in the hearing, of sufficient 
power to overturn it. 



278 HISTORY OF ESSEX. • [Chap. 5. 

1818. Graduated at Harvard College, George Choate. 
He was the son of George Choate, Esq., and was born 
November 7, 1796. In the winter of 1810, he began the 
study of Latin under the tuition of the late Rev. Dr. Wil- 
liam Cogswell, then master of the North District School. 
There was much opposition made to the teaching of " the 
dead languages," at that time, but such was the popularity 
and influence of Dr. Cogswell that all objection was over- 
ruled. He subsequently spent one year at Byfield, and 
one at Atkinson Academy, and entered College in 1814. 
After graduation, Mr. Choate was for two years master of 
the " Feoffees' Latin School " in Ipswich, and during the 
same time was engaged in the study of medicine with the 
late Dr. Thomas Manning. Two years more were spent 
in the office of the late Dr. George C. Shattuck of Boston. 
In 1822 he received the de2;ree of M. D. at the Massachu- 
setts Medical College, and the same year entered upon 
the practice of his profession in Salem. For several years 
Dr. Choate has been president of the Essex South District 
Medical Society, and president of the ^alem Athenaeum. 
He has also represented the city of Salem on its board of 
aldermen, and in the Legislature of the State. In 1825, 
Dr. Choate was married to Miss Margaret M., daughter of 
Capt. Samuel Hodges. His four sons are graduates of 
Harvard College. The eldest is a physician and superin- 
tendent of the State Lunatic Hospital at Taunton. The 
other three are in the practice of law. 

CHEBACCO PARISH BECOMES THE TOWN OF 

ESSEX. 

1819. The movement for the separation of this parish 
from the town of Ipswich appears to have hegun towards 
the close of the year 1817. At a meeting of the Second 
Parish, held December 23d of that year, a committee con- 
sisting of George Choate, Esq., William Cogswell, Jr., Col. 
John P. Choate, John Dexter, Capt. Jonathan Story, 4th, 
Joseph Story, William Lufkin, Capt. Winthrop Low, and 



1800—1819.] IlSrCORPOEATION OF ESSEX. 279 

Nathan Clioate, were appointed " to petition the Legisla- 
ture of the Counnonwealth, as early as may be, to be in- 
corporated into a town, bounded by the limits of Chebaeco, 
and to draw our proportion of property belonging to the 
town, and whatever else they may think proper to ask for 
in said petition : provided that the other religious society 
in Chebacco shall unite with us in the petition, and obligate 
themselves to pay their proportion of the expenses." 

On the 5th of January, 1818, a " meeting of the inhabit- 
ants of Chebacco ward, in the town of Ipswich, was held at 
the North meeting-house in said ward," — George Choate, 
Esq., chairman, and Joseph Story, clerk — at which the 
following votes were passed : 

" 1. That the freeholders and otlier inhabitants of this ward unite in petition- 
ing the Legishiture to be incorporated into a town, bounded by the limits of Che- 
bacco. 2. That the petition presented to this meeting be accepted with such alter- 
ations as their committee and attorneys see fit to make. 3. That the following 
persons serve as a committee to give the petition a general circulation and to carry 
the same into effect, viz : George Choate, Esq., Nathan Choate, Capt. Nathaniel 
Burnham, Capt. Jonathan Story, 4th, Jacob Story, Elias Andrews, William 
Cogswell, Jr., Joseph Story, John Dexter, Capt. Winthrop Low, Col. John P. 
Choate, Capt. Francis Burnham, William Lufkin, Capt. John Butler, Capt. 
James Perkins, Dr. Thomas Sewall, and Jacob Burnham. 4. That this commit- 
tee be authorized to employ one or more attorneys, as they shall think necessary, 
and to fix on a name for the town, provided an act of incorporation is obtained." 

This committee met at the house of Capt. James Perkins, 
on the 8 th of the same month, organized by the choice of 
George Choate, Esq., chairman, and Joseph Stoiy, clerk, and 
selected a sub-committee, consisting of George Choate, Esq., 
Mr. William Cogswell, Jr., Capt. Winthrop Low, Mr. Nathan 
Choate, Capt. Jonathan Story, 4th, Mr. Elias Andrews and 
Mr. John Dexter, to carry the petition to the Legislature 
and attend, all or a part, as they shall think necessary, to 
effect the object of said petition. The petition which was 
presented to the Senate, January 21st, was as follows : 

"To the honorable Senate and the honorable House of Representatives of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled : 

" The petition of the subscribers hereof, inhabitants of the Second Parish 
of Ipswich in the county of Essex, humbly shews, that whereas the town of 



280 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

Ipswich in said county of Essex, in said Commonwealth, is very extensive, 
being upwards of fifteen miles in length on the travelling road ; and that the 
Second Parish thereof, is a compact parish in the south part of said town, 
the southern part of which is upwards of seven miles from the court 
house in said town, which is the usual place of doing town business, the 
roads being very bad, especially in the spring of the year, at the usual time 
of doing town business, which makes it extremely inconvenient and almost 
impracticable to attend town meetings ; and that there reside within the limits 
of said parish upwards of two hundred and fifty ratable polls, upwards of 
two hundred of which are voters, and that their average travel is about five 
and a half miles to said court house, which makes upwards of twenty-two 
hundred miles travel to attend each of the several town meetings, which must 
necessarily be held in the course of every year : 

" Therefore your petitioners pray that they may be set off from said town 
of Ipswich, and be incorporated into a separate town by the limits of said 
parish, with all the inhabitants within said limits, and their estates, with all 
the privileges of a town ; and that they may hold their proportion of all the 
town's property which is now held in common, and their proportion of the 
money arising from their Grammar school lands, a part of which lies within 
said limits ; and that they may not be held to pay any part of the money 
voted to be hired or voted to be raised and assessed in said town of Ipswich 
on the first day of January current for the purpose of purchasing a new and 
expensive establishment, to consist of a farm and new buildings, for the con- 
venience and support of their paupers ; and that the remaining burdens of 
the town may be equalized between the two incorporations in such manner as 
shall be just and reasonable ; and that said Second Parish may be authorized 
to tax all the lands within said limits to help defray parish charges. And as 
in duty bound will ever pray. Daniel Low, and 205 others. 

January, A. D. 1818. 

" The town of Ipswich having been officially notified of this action of the 
parish, on the 6th of April, appointed a committee, consisting of Hon. John 
Heard, John Choate Esq., Capt. Joseph Farley, Asa Andrews Esq., and 
Nathaniel Lord, Esq., to take the petition into consideration and report. 
In accordance with the report of this committee, which was accepted on the 
20th of April, the town voted, That John Choate, Esq., Asa Andrews Esq., 
and Capt Joseph Farley be a committee to examine the records and Stpidence 
and all facts, and draft a remonstrance to lay before the town for their appro- 
bation at the adjournment of this meeting, and that they be agents of the 
town to present said remonstrance, and use all reasonable means to prev^ent 
the granting the prayer of the petition of Daniel Low and others before the 
Legislature of this Commonwealth, and to hear proposals from the petition- 
ers, and treat with them on the subject of their petition. Voted, That one- 
third part of the town meetings be holden in future in the parish of Che- 
bacco, or the Second Parish, whenever a majority of the said parish request it." 



1800—1819.] EEMONSTRAN'CE OF IPSWICH. 281 

On the 14th of May the remonstrance drafted by this 
committee was accepted by the town. It was as follows : 

" To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts in the General Court to be assembled at Boston 
on the last Wednesday of May, A. D. 1818. The remonstrance of the in- 
habitants of the town of Ipswich in the county of Essex against the petition of 
Daniel Low and others, inhabitants of the Second Parish in said town, pray- 
ing to be set oif as a separate town, respectfully represents : 

" That your remonstrants notice one grievance only in said petition as the 
cause of the petitioners' desire to be set off as a separate town, to wit : the 
traveling to attend town meetings, to which we must observe, that there 
always has been, and now is, a disposition on our part to accommodate them, 
as will appear by several votes of the town, offering them their share and pro- 
portion of town meetings to be held in that parish, but we have good reason 
to believe that the real reasons are not named in their petition, to wit : to 
avoid the burthens, which they are under obligations to bear, in common with 
the rest of the town. And as a proof of this assertion, there appears to have 
been a fixed determination on their part to obtain from the town large ex- 
penditures on their roads and bridges, far beyond their due proportion, in 
that part of the town, to pave the way for an advantageous separation on 
their part, and the town of Ipswich have indulged them far beyond any other 
part of the town, in this respect. And now with these large sums secured 
to them in roads and bridges, they ask to be set off and to have their full 
proportion of the property held in common, and to be exempted from moneys 
voted by the town and for their benefit. We therefore beg leave to state, 
that in the early settlement of Ipswich its nearness to the sea induced the in- 
habitants to attempt commerce and the fisheries, which condensed to the centre 
of the town a considerable population and buildings, but on settlement of 
other places commerce and the fisheries declined, and the buildings become 
of small value about the body of the town, and a greater proportion of poor 
than in the other parts, whereas in the Second Parish the buildings are of 
greater value, and much more productive property, less poor in pioportion to 
the whole number, nearer a good market, fuel within their own limits, and if 
a separation takes place, burthens, now legally belonging to the petitioners, 
placed on the residue of the town. Your remonstrants therefore most sol- 
emnly protest against a separation, unless an indemnity or equivalent is given 
by them for the large sums of money expended and drawn from us by artifice, 
and expended in that section of the town ; and they pay a sum of money for 
the support of the large number of paupers, which will be left as a great 
burthen on us. We protest against their drawing or holding any of the prop- 
erty held in common, against tlieir having any of the moneys arising from the 
donations to the Grammar school, as the conditions under which the gifts and 
grants were made are such as are out of the powers of the Legislature to alter, 

and such as might become void if turned from the soui'ce for which it was 
36 



282 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

granted and given. We also must insist on their paying their proportion of 
all monies voted to be assessed by said inhabitants before their incorporation, 
as well as all debts due from the town ; and we with confidence believe the 
Legislature will never interfere with the solemn contract and engagement 
made by said inhabitants of said parish, when they were made a parish, ' not to 
tax for ministerial or parochial charges any lands or buildings belonging to the 
inhabitants of the other parishes.' All which is with great respect submitted." 

The opposition of Ipswich proved unavaihng, however, 
and the town of Essex was incorporated in accordance 
with the following act of the Legislature, approved by the 
Governor, February 5th, of this year. 

" Commonwealtli of Massachusetts. In the yea?- of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and nineteen. An Act to incorporate the Second Parish in Ipswich 
into a Town hy the name of Essex. 

" Section 1. Be it enacted by tlie Senate and House of Eepresentatives in Gen- 
eral Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that all the part of the town 
of Ipswich in the county of Essex called the Second Parish in Ipswich within the 
boundaries herein after mentioned, together with the inhabitants thereof, be and 
the same is incorporated into a town by the name of Essex, and invested with all the 
powers, privileges and immunities, and subject to all the duties and requisitions to 
which towns in this Commonwealth are by law entitled or subjected, the said town of 
Essex being bounded and described as follows, viz. : Beginning at the north-westerly 
corner of William Cogswell's land, at a small stone bridge at the head of Choate's 
Brook, so called, thence running south-westerly on the boundary of said Second 
Parish to Hamilton line, thence running on a different corner easterly and southerly 
by said Hamilton line till it comes to Manchester line, thence running easterly by 
said Manchester line to a heap of stones to Gloucester line, thence by said Gloucester 
line to the sea. Then beginning again at the bounds first mentioned, and running 
down said brook to the creek, so called, thence continuing down said creek to the 
river, thence down the channel of said river on the north side of Hog Island to the sea. 

" Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, that the said town of Ipswich shall have, hold 
and enjoy to their own use and benefit forever, the court-house situated in said town, 
the powder-house with the military stores therein, the Grammar school-house with 
the lands, hei-editaments, rent and profits heretofore received and belonging to said 
Grammar school, and also the farm with the buildings, stock and utensils and all 
their other personal property thereon and thereto belonging, lately purchased by 
said town of Ipswich for a public poor-house. 

" Sect. 3. Be it further enacted, that the said town of Essex shall pay to the 
treasurer of the said town of Ipswich, within the term of six months, their propor- 
tion of the debt due by and from said town of Ipswich and outstanding at the pass- 
ing of this act, in the proportion of thirty-one cents per dollar on the whole amount 
thereof, which amount shall be ascertained by a committee of three persons from 
each of the said towns ; and in case of their disagreement, then to be ascertained 
by three referees to be appointed by the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said 
county of Essex. And said town of Ipswich shall pay to, or set off with, said town 
of Essex the sum of twenty-two hundred and seventy dollars. 

" Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, that the said towns of Ipswich and Essex shall 
respectively support and maintain all such as now are, or hereafter may be, inhabit- 
ants of the said towns respectively, or who were born in or have a derivative settle- 



1800—1819.] ACT OF INCORPORATION^. 283 

ment through any person born in or deriving settlement from any ancestor, and are 
or may become chargeable as paupers according to the laws of this Commonwealth, 
and who have not gained settlement elsewhere. 

" Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, that all taxes assessed and not collected at the 
time of passing of this act, shall be collected in the same manner and paid to the treas- 
urer of the town of Ipswich as if the separation of said town had not taken place. 

" Sect. 6. Be it further enacted, that the agreement between the said town of 
Ipswich and the said Second Parish, made on the twenty-tirst day of December, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and. fifteen, be and remain 
as before the separation, and unaffected hereby in any respect whatever. 

" Sect. 7. Be it further enacted, that any justice of the peace for the said county 
of Essex, is hereby authorized to issue his warrant directed to any freeholder in the 
said town of Essex, requiring him to warn the inhabitants thereof to meet at such 
time and place as may be appointed in said warrant, for the choice of all such town 
officers as towns are by law required to choose at their annual meetings. 

" The foregoing is a true copy of an attested copy of the act of incorporation of 
the town of Essex. Attest, Joseph Story, Town Cleik." 

The agreement referred to in section six, has reference 
to the boundary line between Chebacco and the rest of 
Ipswich. Some dispute had arisen respecting this in 1715, 
and on the 6th of December of that year the inhabitants 
of Chebacco appointed Lieut. Nathaniel Goodhue and Mr. 
Thomas Choate a committee "to petition the General 
Court for a confirmation of the limits of the district of 
Chebacco, according to our .... * ever since our first be- 
ing set off from the town of Ipswich and to make a settle- 
ment of bounds with such committee as may be appointed 
by said town of Ipswich." The town having been served 
with a copy of this petition " in compliance therewith and 
to prevent any further charge or trouble to said precinct 
of Chebacco " appointed a committee to confer with the 
Chebacco committee. This joint committee reported in 
favor of the same boundaries which had been established 
by the town in 1681,t ^nd having made report to the 
town, at a meeting held March 10, 1716, it was " voted 
that the foreo-oino- settlement of the lines of Chebacco 
Precinct be confirmed." The matter was again laid be- 
fore the General Court however, by some of the inhabit- 
ants of the Hamlet who were still dissatisfied ; and that 
body on the 29th of November 1716, confirmed the settle- 
ment of the boundary which the town had made, " except- 

* Word illegible in the Records. t See Chap. 1, p. 87. 



284 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

ing Knight's farm which is hereby directed and ordered to 
lie to the Hamlet." 

May 4,1820,Essex appointed George Choate, Esq., Jacob 
Story and John Procter a committee to meet a committee 
from Ipswich to settle -and establish the line between said 
towns from the head of Choate's Brook to Hamilton line. 
As these committees were unable to agree, the selectmen 
were authorized and empowered by the town, October 16th, 
to join the committee from the town of Ipswich in leaving 
the settlement of the line between Ipswich and Essex to a 
reference. The referees — David Dodge, Temple Cutler and 
Azor Brown — July 20, 1821, made the following award : 

" Beginning at a small stone bridge in the road at the north-westerly cor- 
ner of Mr. William Cogswell's* land, thence running easterly in the road 31 
rods to a stake and stones on the southerly side of the road, thence South 
2S^ degrees West to a stake and stone on Hamilton line." 

FIRST TOWN MEETING. 
The first town-meeting was held at the North meeting- 
house, on the 1st of March, a warrant having been issued 
by George Choate, Esq., in accordance with the act of in- 
corporation. Esq. Choate was chosen moderator ; and it 
was then voted " that this and every annual town-meeting 
be opened with prayer." The following town officers were 
chosen : Joseph Story, town clerk ; George Choate, Esq., 
Capt. Jonathan Story, 4th, Elias Andrews, William Cogs- 
well, Jr., and William Andrews, selectmen, assessors and 
overseers of the jDOor; Nathan Choate, town treasurer; 
the selectmen, with Rev. Robert Crowell, a committee to 
visit, oversee and regulate the schools. At a meeting held 
March 9th, voted |1,000 for the support of the poor, and 
other town charges (which was increased, April 5th, to 
|1,200;) voted $400 for the support of the schools ; voted 
that 1 555.83 — the expense incurred in obtaining an act of 
incorporation — be assumed and paid by the town ; voted 
$460 for highways. In accordance with the third section 

* The father of Mr. Zaccheus Cogswell and grandfather of Mr. Darius Cogswell, 
both of whom lived on the same farm. 



1800—1819.] LOCATION AND LAND OF ESSEX. 285 

of the act of incorporation, George Choate, Esq., William 
Cogswell, Jr., and Elias Andrews, were appointed a commit- 
tee, on the 9tli of March, " to meet w^ith a committee of the 
town of Ipswich to ascertain the amount of the debt of said 
town previous to the incorporation of Essex, and, if possi- 
ble, to make a final settlement with them." The report of 
this committee was accepted, December 21, 1819, and the 
town treasurer authorized to settle with the town of Ips- 
wich agreeably to it. The debt of Ipswich at this time was 
117^000—31 per cent, of which was $5*270. The share of 
Essex in the public property of Ipswich was $2,270, leav- 
ing, as a balance to be paid by Essex to Ipswich, $3,000. 
For the payment of this sum, together with the expense 
incurred in obtaining the act of incorporation, (which 
amounted to $555.83), Essex raised, in 1819, $1,000, in 
1820, $1,000, and in 1822, $1,500. 

LOCATION AND CHARACTER OF THE LAND. 

As thus constituted, the latitude of Essex is 42° 38', its 
longitude 70^ 47' 10". It is bounded by Ipswich, Ham- 
ilton, Manchester, and Gloucester. Its greatest length 
from north to south is 51 miles, and its mean length 4i 
miles. Its greatest breadth from east to west is 4 miles, 
and its mean breadth 3t miles. The soil is chiefly argil- 
laceous, loamy, gravelly, and marshy. In 1855 there were 
262 i acres of tillage, 937 of English and upland mowing, 
78 of fresh meadow, 1949 of salt marsh, 2460 of pasture, 
inclusive of orchard pasturage, 1301 of woodland, exclusive 
of pasture land enclosed, 49 unimproved, and 120 incapable 
of improvement. There were also 100 acres of roads, and 
2000 acres covered with water. Its real and personal es- 
tate at the time of incorporation was valued at $248,813. 
Its population was 1107. The number of pailpers was 21, 
and the expense of maintaining the same per annum, $756. 

Col. JONATHAN COGSWELL, Sen. 
April 19th, died Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., aged 79. Col. 
Cogswell was a great-great-grandson of the first settler of 



286 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

that name, and a cousin of Dea. Jonathan Cogswell, their 
mothers having been sisters. He was born July 11, 1740, 
at the " Cogswell farm." February 4, 1768, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Wise, grand-daughter of Rev. John 
Wise. She was born- September 19, 1744, and died Octo- 
ber 31, 1838. By great industry and economy after com- 
ing of age, he soon cleared off a heavy debt, with which 
the estate inherited from his father had become encum- 
bered, through the mismanagement of his guardian who 
had charge of the property after his father's death, and 
made the farm a profitable one. In 1791, he purchased 
and removed to the " Pickering Place " — a house built by 
Rev. Mr. Pickering, and occupied by him during the most 
of his life. Mr. Cleaveland rented it a few years, and it 
was afterwards purcha='ed by Rev. Mr. Porter. His family 
resided in it during his absence in Nova Scotia. Dr. 
Davis, the first resident physician in Chebacco, purchased 
it of him, and Esq. Cogswell was the next owner. Esq. 
Cogswell " was on the Committee of Correspondence and 
Inspection in the Revolutionary War ; Captain of the mil- 
itary companj^ raised in Chebacco in 1774 ; Major in 1775; 
Colonel of the Second Regiment from 1776 to the close of 
the war; Delegate to the United States Constitutional 
Convention of Massachusetts; Representative in 1776, 
1792, 1793, 1800—1813; Justice of the Sessions Court; 
and feoffee of the Grammar School." His character was 
briefly delineated in two obituary notices published in the 
newspapers soon after his death, one of which is as follows : 

"Died, Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., aged 79, an officer in the Revolution, 
one of the delegates in the Convention of this State who voted for the adoption 
of the Constitution of the United States, for many years a member of the 
House of Representatives of Massachusetts, a useful citizen and magistrate, a 
sincere Federalist, a devout Christian and an excellent man. But what author- 
izes us thus to eulogize him ? Ask of his fellow-townsmen how he acquired the 
reputation of a good citizen, and they will answer ' by performing every duty 
incumbent upon him.' Though he never sought, yet when through solicitation 
he accepted an office, he executed the trust with scrupulous fidelity. Ask of his 
political companions what were his princples, they will say he was never found 



1800—1819.] COL. JONATHAN COGSWELL, SEN. 287 

the advocate of party spirit, Lutlie supported every measure which he in con- 
science approved, and exhibited a model of generous candor and undeviating 
consistency. Ask of his associates in the Legislature what was his character 
there, and they will tell you that though the persuasive appeal of eloquence 
never burst from his lips, wisdom and sound sense were closeted in his heart and 
always at his command. The poor man's gratitude acknowledges his benevo- 
lence, and the uniform uprightness of his deportment declares his fervent piety. 

'• More than half a century, passed in the enjoyment of connubial felicity, 
proved him an attentive, affectionate husband, a kind, indulgent father. And 
though in the close of life he was severely aflflicted by the loss of an only son, 
who had reached the period of life when hope elevates and joy is lively, and 
who was just about to form a connection the dearest of all on earth, though 
she to whom he looked as a staff on which in the infirmity of old age he might 
lean and find support, was suddenly toxni from him, this virtuous man bowed his 
head in pious resignation, for he knew God could not err. It was in the re- 
tirement of domestic life and its peculiar pleasures, that Col. Cogswell chiefly 
delighted. Surrounded by his family, and in the circle of his friends, his 
countenance wore the smiles of benevolent sociability and hearty good nature. 
He was polite and aflable, given to hospitality, fully blessed with that most 
excellent gift of charity. Free from all appearance of selfishness, the happi- 
ness of others seemed the study of his life. His religion, as it had been the 
guide of his youth, became the comfort of his age, and virtues, like the rays 
of the setting sun, beamed softly and beautifully, as he descended to the tomb. 
"We mingle our tears with those of his widow and surviving daughter, and 
would with them chant the solemn requiem of peace to his ashes. May the 
mantle of his excellence fall on us who remain, and when called to leave this 
region of sorrow, may we meet him in Heaven." 

" In public life," adds the other sketch, " he manifested a sound judgment and 
unshaken integrity. In private, he exhibited all the amiable and useful qualities 
of a good citizen, a peaceful neighbor, a judicious adviser and friend, a benefactor 
to the poor, a kind husband and affectionate father. It was a remarkable trait in 
his character that he carefully avoided speaking of the faults of others, and, as if 
like measure were meted to him again, it was rarely if ever that any were found 
to speak against him. He retained in an unusual degree his bodily and mental 
vigor to the last ; though family bereavements together with a love of retirement, 
for several years had led him to decline all public service. In his death his be- 
reaved family and this new incorporated town have sustained an irreparable loss." 

A daughter, Mrs. Mary Choate widow of the Late John. 
Choate, Esq., of Ipswich, survived him forty-one years, and 
died in the same house, June 28, 1860, in her 83d year. 

" Mrs. Choate was the seventh in descent from the noble old martyr, John 
Rogers. Margaret Ro<»;ers, daughter of Dr. John Rogers, a President in 
Harvard College and great-grandson of the martyr, having married the Hon. 



288 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5, 

John Leverett, F. R. S,, another President of Harvard ; by this marriage 
there were two daughters ; the younger, Mary, married Col. John Denison, 
of. Ipswich, by whom he had a daughter ; this daughter married John Wise, 
son of Rev. John Wise, the first ordained minister of Essex (then Chebacco 
Parish), and who was distinguished for his courage, great strength, intellect- 
ual attainments, and elevated piety, and who was tried, deposed from the 
ministry, and heavily fined and imprisoned in Boston for advising the town 
not to comply with the order of Sir Edmund Andros for raising a Province 
tax, it being, as he affirmed ' contrary to charter rights.' Of this marriage 
was born Elizabeth Wise, mother of the deceased." 

EUFUS CHOATE. 

Graduated at Dartmouth College, Rufus Choate. He 
was born upon Hog Island, October 1, 1799, the son of 
David and Miriam Foster Choate. When at the age of 
six months, his father removed with his family from the 
Island to the centre of the town. Of this parent he was 
deprived by death when less than nine years old. He 
com.menced the study of the Latin Grammar, either near 
the close of 1809, or in the Spring of 1810, with Dr. 
Thomas Sewall, who about that time became a boarder in 
the family of Mr. Choate's mother, and who subsequently 
married her eldest daughter. Dr. Sewall's educational in- 
fluence upon many of the young men of Chebacco, will long 
be remembered. In the Summer of 1810, Rev. Thomas 
Holt, then recently installed in the ministry at Chebacco, 
opened a private school and gave instruction to Mr. Choate 
in the Latin lano-uaoie. Mr. Choate's next teacher in the 
languages, was Mr. William Cogswell, who taught the dis- 
trict school in the Winter of 1810 and 1811, also during 
the school term of the next year. Mr. Cogswell was after- 
wards the Rev. Dr. Cogswell of Gilmanton, N. H. The 
subsequent teachers of Mr. Choate, during his preparation 
for college, were Center Merrill, then teaching a private 
summer school at the Falls, Samuel Sewall, who for some 
months had a private class in the languages, John Rogers 
of Londonderry, N. H., then teaching the North School, and 
the Rev. Robert Crowell, D. D. He finally entered at Hamp- 
ton Academy, N. H., in January, 1815, James Adams, Esq., 



1800—1819.] EUFUS CHOATE. . 289 

preceptor, where lie remained seven months reviewing his 
studies, and entered Dartmouth College in August of that 
year. His public career as a statesman and orator, has 
been briefly sketched by Edwin P. Whipple, the essayist. 
The principal facts in his life, he gives as follows : 

" He entered College in 1815 and was distinguished there for that stern 
devotion to study and that love of classical literature which ha\e accompanied 
him through all the distractions of political and professional life. Shortly 
after graduating he was chosen a tutor in college ; but selecting the law for 
his profession he entered the Law School at Cambridge, and afterwards com- 
pleted his studies in the office of Judge Cummins of Salem. He also 
studied a year in the office of Mr. Wirt, Attorney General of the United 
States. He commenced the practice of his profession in the town of Danvers 
in 1824. But a considerable portion of the period between his first entry 
into his profession and his final removal to Boston in 1834 was passed in Sa- 
lem. He early distinguished himself as an advocate. His legal arguments 
replete with knowledge, conducted with admirable skill, evincing uncommon 
.felicity and power in the analysis and apyjlication of evidence, blazing with 
the blended fires of imagination and sensibility, and delivered with a rapidity 
and animation of manner which swept along the minds of his hearers on the 
torrent of his eloquence, made hira one of the most successful advocates at 
the Essex bar. In 1825 he was elected a representative to the Massachusetts 
Legislature from Danvers; and in 1827 he was in the State Senate. He 
took a prominent part in the debates, and the energy and sagacity which he 
displayed gave him a wide reputation. In 1832, he was elected member of 
Congress from the Essex district. He declined a re-election and in 1834 re- 
moved to Boston, to devote himself to his profession. He soon took a position 
among the most eminent lawyers at the Suffolk bar, and for seven years his 
legal services were in continual request. In 1841, on the retirement of Mv. 
Webster from the Senate, he was elected to fill his place by a large majority 
of the ^Massachusetts Legislature, — an honor which Massachusetts bestows on 
none but men of signal ability and integrity. Since Mr. Choate resigned 
his seat in the Senate he has been more exclusively devoted to his profession 
than at any previous period of his life. The only public office he now holds 
(1847) is that of llegent of the Smithsonian Institute. The country is 
principally indebted to his efforts for the promising form which that institu- 
tion has now assumed." 

Mr. Choate was appointed attorney-general of Massa- 
chusetts in 1853, which office he filled one year. On the 
29th of June, 1859, he set sail for England, on a tour for 

the restoration of his health ; but prostrated by disease, 
37 



290 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

landed at Halifax, N. S., where he died, the 13tli of July 
following. 

Mr. Choate's "Works, with a Memoir of his Life, by 
Rev. Samuel G. Brown, D. D.," then Professor in Dart- 
mouth College and now President of Hamilton College, 
were published, in two volumes, in 1862. 

Notwithstanding an extensive examination of many of 
the recent town histories proves that biographical sketches 
of the inhabitants both earlier and later, who have distin- 
guished themselves among their fellow-men, make an in- 
teresting part of such town history, yet 2^ fear oj^jwesses 
those of us who have anything to do with completing the 
history of Essex, that the balances will betray the fact that 
they were sometimes held by an unsteady hand, and that 
more is said of some and less of others than strict impar- 
tiality demands. Had the original design of the author 
been carried out, all fear of this kind would have been 
taken away by a close of the history with the incorpora- 
tion of the parish of Chebacco as the town of Essex. The 
unmistakable demand of the town however, as expressed 
at the annual town meeting, that the history shoidd he 
brought down to the present time, imposes new duties as 
well as much additional labor. And in relation to the 
sketch above begun by Mr. Whipple, while it might with 
great propriety have been left where it is by him, yet 
some extracts from remarks by members of the Suffolk 
bar, with a few others, will, it is hoped, be excused by all, 
while they may perhaps be said to be demanded by some 
who still regard old Chebacco as their cherishing mother : 

Extract from the Address of Hon. Charles G. Loring, at a fleet- 
ing of the Suffolk bar, on the occasion of Mr. Choate's decease. 
"Having been for more than twenty years after Mr. Choate came to this 
bar, his antagonist in forensic struggles, at the least, I believe, as frequently 
as any other member of it, I may well be competent to bear witness to his 
peculiar abilities, resources and manners in professional service. And hav- 
ing in the varied experiences of nearly forty years, not infrequently encoun- 
tered some of the giants of the law, whose lives and memories have contributed 
to render this bar illustrious throughout the land, — among whom I may include 



1800—1819.] • EUFUS CHOATE. 291 

the honored names of Prescott, Mason, Hubbard, Webster, Dexter, and others 
among the dead, and those of others yet with us, to share in the sorrows of 
this hour, — I do no injustice to the living or the dead in saying, that for the 
pecuHar powers desirable for a lawyer and advocate, for combination of accu- 
rate memory, logical acumen, vivid imagination, profound learning in the law, 
exuberance of literary knowledge and command of language, united with 
strategic skill, I should place him at the head of all whom I have ever seen 
in the management of a cause at the bar. ***** 

"His remembrance of every fact, suggestion, or implication involved in 
the testimony, of even the remotest admission by his adversary, — his ready 
knowledge and application of every principle of law called for at the mo- 
ment, — his long forecast and ever watchful attention to every new phase of 
the case, however slight, — his incredible power of clear and brilliant illustra- 
tion, — his unexampled exuberance of rich and glowing language, — his won- 
derfully methodic arrangement, where method would best serve him, and no 
less wonderful power of dislocation and confusion of forces, when method 
would not serve him, — his incredible ingenuity in retreating when seemingly 
annihilated, and the suddenness and impetuosity with which, changing front, 
he returned to the charge, or rallied in another and unexpected direction, — 
and the brilliant fancy, the peerless beauty and fascinating glow of language 
and sentiment, with which, when law and facts and argument were all against 
him, he could raise his audience above them all as things of earth, while in- 
sensibly persuading it that the decision should rest upon considerations to 
be found in higher regions, and that a verdict in his favor was demanded by 
some transcendent equity independent of them all, at times surpassed all pre- 
vious conceptions of human ability." 

Richard H. Dana, near the close of his remarks on the 
same or a similar occasion, said : 

"One word more, sir. It is not so generally known, I suppose, of Mr. 
Choate. that certainly during the last ten years of his life, he gave much of 
his thoughts to those noble and elevating problems which relate to the nature 
and destiny of man, to the nature of God, to the great hereafter ; recogniz- 
ing, sir, that great truth — so beautifully expressed in his favorite tongue — in 
sacred writ, [expressed in Greek,] things not seen are eternal. He studied 
not merely psychology; he knew well the great schools of philosophy; he 
knew well their characteristics, and read their leading men. I suspect he was 
the first man in this community who read Sir William Hamilton, and Man- 
sell's work on the Limits of Religious Thought ; and I doubt if the Chau'S 
of Harvard or Yale were more familiar with the English and German mind, 
and their views on these great problems, than Mr. Choate. He carried his 
study even into technical theology. He knew its genius and spirit better than 
many divines. He knew in detail the great dogmas of St. Augustine ; and 
he studied and knew John Calvin and Luther. He knew the gi-eat principles 



292 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 5. 

which lie at the foundation of Catholic theology and institutions, and the 

theology of the evangelical school ; and he knew and studied the rationalistic 

writings of the Germans, and was familiar with their theories and characteristics. 

***** 

"I meant to have spoken of his studies of the English prose writers, among 
whom Bacon and Burke had his preference. But he read them all and loved 
to read them all ; fi:om the scholastic statelincss of Milton, warring for the 
right of expressing thoughts for all ages, to the simplicity of Cowper's letters. 

" But all this is gone for us ! We are never to see him again in the places 
that knew him. To think that he, of all men, who loved his home so, should 
have died among strangers ! That he, of all men, should have died under a 
foreign flag ! I can go no further." 

The Hon. B. R. Curtis, in presenting to the Supreme 
Court the resolutions of the Suffolk bar, on the 20th day 
of September, 1859, followed them in a speech of great 
power and eloquence, but we are precluded from inserting 
it by want of space, and can only make room for a portion 
of Judge Sprague's reply, as follows : 

"It is not to be understood by any means," said Judge S., "that Mr. 
Choate's highest merit consisted in his rhetoric. That, indeed, was the most 
striking. But those who had most profoundly considered and mastered the 
subject, saw that the matter of his discourse, the thought, was worthy of the 
drapery with which it was clothed. His mind was at once comprehensive and 
acute. No judicial question was. too enlarged for its vision, and none too 
minute for its analysis. To the court he could present arguments learned, 
logical and profound, or exquisitely refined and subtle, as the .occasion seemed 
to require. But it was in trials before a jury that he was pre-eminent. Noth- 
ing escaped his vigilance, and nothing was omitted that could contribute to 
a verdict for his client. His skill in the examination of witnesses was con- 
summate. 1 have never seen it equaled." 

Upon another point the court remarked, " No m^n was more exempt from 
vanity. lie seemed to have no thought for him?elf, but only for his client 
and his cause. The verdict was kept steadily in view. His most brilliant 
efforts had no indication of self-exhibition or display. Magnificent as they 
were, they seemed to be almost involuntary outpourings from a fulness of 
thought and language that could not be repressed. From feeling, reflection 
and habit, he was a supporter of law, and of that order which is the result 
of its regular administration. We cannot but sympathize with the bar, in a 
bereavement which has taken from us such an associate and friend, by whom 
the court has been so often enlightened and aided in their labors, and whose 
rare gifts contributed to make the ' light of jurisprudence gladsome.'" 



CHAPTER VI. 

CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF EVENTS FROM 1820 TO 1868. 

1820. Town statistics: population, 1,107; number 
of polls, 258 ; real and personal estate, |248,813. 

The Essex Canal Company was incorporated this year. 
A canal was opened by them from Chebacco River to Fox 
Creek (a branch of Ipswich River,) of about half a mile 
in length, for the transportation of ship-timber and lumber 
from the shores of the Merrimac, through Plumb Island 
Sound and across Ipswich River, to this place. The stock 
was divided into twenty-seven shares of $40 each ; and 
the cost of the canal was nearly $1,100. For about 
thirteen years, the dividends of the company were from 
five to six per cent. 

A chapel was built by proprietors near the meeting- 
house, for the accommodation of the Congregational 
Church in social religious meetings, and for the promotion 
of sacred music. Its dimensions were twenty-four feet by 
thirty-six, and its cost $640, including the land under it. 
Besides the audience-room there were two smaller rooms, 
one of which became the library-room of the " Essex So- 
cial Library," and the other, the selectmen's office. The 
building committee were Joseph Choate, John Dexter and 
William Andrews, Jr. On the 11th of December, it was 
dedicated by appropriate religious services. The text of 
the discourse preached by the pastor on the occasion, was 
the first verse of the 127th Psalm. The two-hundreth 
anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims, was also ob- 
served in it, December 22d, by religious exercises and the 
preaching of a sermon from Exodus xv. 2, "Many will 
recollect with pleasure the numerous interesting and 



294. HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

profitable meetings they attended in that building, during 
the thirty years in which it was used for religious pur- 
poses." A more convenient room for a chapel or vestry 
having been prepared in the basement of the church in 
1842, this building was disposed of by the proprietors, and 
is now occupied as a store. 

COMMISSION GRANTED FOR A POST-OFFICE. 

1821. There was no regular post-office before the one 
established by government. But letters and papers w^ere 
brought by individuals from Ipswich, and left at the house 
of the late John Clioate, In the Autumn of 1819, a pe- 
tition for a post-office in Essex, and a post route from Ips- 
wich to Gloucester, was prepared and signed. It was 
presented to Congress by Hon. Jeremiah Nelson in 1820, 
and, "through his application and perseverance," was 
granted this year. Dudley Choate having been " proposed 
as a suitable person for post-master, and conveniently sit- 
uated near the meeting-house," by " George Choate and a 
number of other citizens," and his name having been rec- 
ommended by Mr. Nelson, was appointed the first post- 
master. He kept the office in a small building attached 
to the house now occupied by George Norton. In 1826 
he was succeeded by Amos Burnham, who removed the 
office to the house now occupied by his grandson, Charles 
A. Burnham, then used as a tavern, and who continued in 
office six years. In 1832, Enoch Low was appointed post- 
master, and from that year the office was kept near the 
bridge until 1864. Albert F. Low succeeded his father in 
1854, and was succeeded in 1864 by Charles W. Proctor. 
Since his appointment, the office has been kept in a store 
upon the causew\ay. 

At the annual town meeting in March, it was voted 
that it be the duty of the school committee to prepare a 
written system of discipline for the government of the 
respective district schools of the town. The school com- 
mittee chosen this year were Rev. Robert Crowell, William 



1820—1868.] WASHINGTON CHOATE. 295 

Cogswell, Jr., Col. William Andrews, Capt. Noah Bnrnham, 
Capt. Wintlirop Low, Capt. Jonathan Procter, Capt. Jona- 
than Eveleth. 

1822. Washington Choate, son of David and Miriam 
Foster Choate, deceased, was born Januaiy 17, 1803, and 
died February 27, 1822. He was, at the time of his de- 
cease, a member of the Junior class in Dartmouth College. 
The following extracts from a eulogy by a college class- 
mate, Charles Walker, (now the Rev. Dr. Walker of Pitts- 
ford, Vt.,) never before published, and delivered in a few 
weeks after the subject of the eulogy died, are so truthful 
and graphic as to supersede the necessity of any other 
remarks. It was delivered in the college chapel, and 
commences as follows : 

" Where is our beloved Choate ! Alas ! the eye of ardent expectation 
searches for him in vain. He who was so lately one of us, is not here, but 
gone forever. The sphere of human action was too circumscribed for the 
operations of a mind like his. The celestial spirit has taken its flight to en- 
gage in more exalted and more congenial employments. Well may we weep. 
The pride and glory of our institution lies low in the tomb. The finest flower 
in our academic grove has withered, even while opening its fragrant blossoms 
to the morning sun. He was a rising luminary which our eyes belield with 
admiration, as a planet whose dawu was auspicious ; but ere the full brilliance 
of the rays was emitted, a dark and portentous cloud has forever concealed 
the glowing lustre from mortal view. In ordinary cases, paiiegyiie casts some 
borrowed rays around its object ; but here it can serve little else except to 
conceal an original and resplendent blaze. Seldom indeed, have the annals 
of any literary institution furnished an instance where the grave has so early 
closed over a more beloved and affectionate youth, a fairer candidate for fame, 
or a brighter example of ardent and exalted piety. But I shrink from the 
attempt to portray the varied excellencies of his character. With mingled 
emotions of reverence and affection, I can only delineate some of the niore 
prominent features, and leave it for you who knew him, to fill up the outline 
and complete the picture. 

" Washington Choate was born at Ipswich,* Mass , January 17, 1803. 
Tie very early gave indications of uncommon merit, and the discerning mind 
cast forward a prophetic glance, and indulged the pleasing anticipations of 
future greatness. The common amusements of chihlren could not satisfy 
him. His judgment was so mature, and his moral sense so delicate, even 
when a boy, that his school associates always fixed upon him as an umpire in 

*The present town of Essex, then Chebacco Parish in Ipswich. 



296 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

their disputes. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, and was remark- 
ably scruyjulous in all his acts. His natural temper was unusually amiable. 
' I never,' says a gentleman who once resided in the family, ' I never met 
with a child whom I loved like Washington Choate.' An ardent thirst for 
knowledge early appeared, as one of the most distinguishing traits in his char- 
acter. His opportunities for acquiring knowledge in the early part of his life 
were little superior to those enjoyed by most boys ; but they were well em- 
ployed. Almost entirely by his personal exertions he became familiar with 
the Latin, and made considerable proficiency in the Greek. Here probably 
he laid the foundation for future eminence by the habits of vigorous applica- 
tion which he acquired. 

" He entered the academy at Andover in the Autumn of 1818. His su- 
perior talents and amiable disposition soon secured him the admiration and the 
love of all who knew him. The unremitted and vigorous exercise of his extra- 
ordinary powers, in a short time raised him entirely beyond the reach of those 
with whom he was associated. Gentlemen best qualified to judge, pronounced 
him the best and most lovely scholar that ever belonged to that institution. 

" The senior class well recollect what high expectations were raised, when 
he commenced his collegiate course ; with what enthusiasm the members of 
college singled out the individual of whom they had heard so much. These 
expectations were more than realized. His views were so enlarged and so 
elevated, that even the wonderfully successful efforts of his mind could not 
satisfy him. Hence the smile of self-complacency was never seen playing 
upon his countenance. There was a restless panting after perfection in what- 
ever he engaged, which appeared to arise from his native greatness; and the 
struggles of his manly spirit seemed sometimes to threaten the entire demoli- 
tion of its earthly tenement. The motives of ordinary ambition had little 
influence on Ms mind. He sought indeed the approbation of the wise and 
good ; but an unconquerable, ever growing attachment to the pursuits of 
literature and science was the strong motive which impelled him forward. 
After he became pious, love to his Redeemer supplied a far nobler and more 
efficient incentive. With such views and under the influence of such motives, 
we saw him incessant in his exertions. No one in college, 1 presume, knows 
how much he accomplished. His retired and modest habits were such that it 
could not be easily ascertained. It is well known, however, that he had 
familiarized himself with the most important parts of ancient literature. His 
compositions partook largely of classic elegance and taste, vigor and manli- 
ness. Words, however harmoniously arranged, afforded him no gratification, 
unless they embodied some valuable thought. He had made very considera- 
ble proficiency in some of the modern languages, and had selected, and eagerly 
perused a large number of the best English authors. What this extraordinary 
young man efi'ected in so short a time, and a view of him in difl'erent situa- 
tions of life, afford conclusive evidence that his native talents were of the first 
order. The whole current of his thoughts and aflfections and his successful 
exertions, evinced a mind elevated above the generality of scholars ; and even 



1820—1868.] MILL COEPORATION. 297 

the most distinguished were ready most cheerfully to allow a superiority which 
he by no means claimed. He thought with unusual clearness. His mind 
darted forward like lightning. He was delighted with the investigation and 
discovery of mathematical truth, — and satisfied every one who noticed the 
efficiency of his mind, that his reasoning powers were of no ordinary grade. 
The flashings of his fancy were uncommonly brilliant, and he possessed an 
inexhaustible fund of invention and keen native wit. But no trait of excel- 
lence was more conspicuous than the purity and correctness of his taste. In- 
deed, his mind seemed to have been cast in the finest and most delicate mould. 
He had a strong relish for the elegances of polite literature, and readily de- 
tected whatever did not deserve the name. Rarely can there be found so 
discriminating a mind at so early an age. 

" We all know the unaffected modesty and simplicity of his manners. The 
sweetness of his disposition and the generous ardor of his affections seemed 
to entwine themselves with every ligament of his soul. His delicate spirit 
recoiled at the voice of adulation. His uncommon diffidence and reserve, 
however, could not conceal the excellences of his character. The veil was 
too transparent to hide such glowing lustre. When the ardor of social feel- 
ing thrilled through his heart, what an expressive smile was lighted up in his 
countenance. Yet with all this softness and delicacy, there was nothing of 
effeminacy. The native dignity of his mind was conspicuous in his whole 
demeanor." 

ESSEX MILL CORPORATION. 

By an act of the Legislature approved June 15tli, John 
Dexter, Winthrop Low, William Andrews, Jr., George 
Choate, Dudley Choate, Enoch Low, Ezra Perkins, John 
Choate, Joshua Low and James Perkins, were incorporated 
as the Essex Mill Company with a capital of $10,000; 
with power to build a dam across Chebacco River at or near 
the great bridge with gates twenty feet wide for the pas- 
sage of boats free of toll, and to erect saw-mills and other 
];nills ; '• provided said Corporation shall make in or at the 
end of said dam a good and sufficient lock or locks fifteen 
feet wide and fifty feet in length, for the passage of flat- 
bottomed boats, gondolas and other water-craft, and shall 
attend and admit the same free of toll through said locks 
for the ordinary purposes of business." The stock was di- 
vided into one hundred shares. Of these, sixty-nine only 
were taken up. The whole cost of the locks and mills 
was about 1 10,000, and for the balance of the expense 

38 



298 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6- 

money was hired, for the payment of which the stock of 
the company was pledged. At the first meeting of the 
corporators, held July 1st, George Choate was chosen 
chairman, William Andrews, Jr., clerk, and a committee 
of three appointed to obtain subscriptions to the stock. 
The same month James Perkins was chosen treasurer, and 
George Choate, John Dexter and John Choate a committee 
to purchase a spot, and superintend the building of a dam 
and a saw-mill, and to make the necessary assessments. 
The next year the same committee were empowered to 
erect a grist-mill, and to purchase and set up in it a card- 
ing-machine and lathe. In 1825, Charles Dexter was 
elected clerk, and George Choate, William Andrews, Jr., 
and John Choate, directors. The directors chose George 
Choate, president, and John Dexter, agent. The same 
year an adjoining piece of marsh was purchased of Elliott 
Woodbury for $375. In 1826, a canal was dug through 
this marsh, and a wharf three hundred and twenty-five 
feet long built near the grist-mill. 

1823. The Selectmen were authorized to build a new 
road at the Falls to the "landing." This cost $320. 

A draw was built to the "great bridge." The cost of 
this, together with the rebuilding of one of the abutments 
and other repairs, was about $1,400. 

Graduated at Yale College John Dennison Russ, the 
son of Dr. Parker and Mrs. Elizabeth Cogswell Euss. He 
was born in Chebacco, September 1, 1801. 

" Having finished his studies preparatory for college, under the venerable 
Dr. Abbott of Exeter, N. H., he entered Yale College, and graduated from 
that institution in 1823. He began the study of medicine in the office of 
John D. Wells, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in Bowdoin 
College, continued it in the Baltimore and Massachusetts Medical Colleges, 
and received his Doctorate from Yale in 1825. After spending a year abroad 
in the hospitals of Paris, London and Edinburgh, he commenced the practice 
of medicine in New York city. The next year his attention was directed to 
the famishing condition of the Greeks, then engaged in a desperate struggle 
with the Turks for liberty. Full of zeal for their cause, he availed himself 
of the wide-spread feeling which laid almost every city and village under 
contribution, and took charge of the brig ' Statesman,' which sailed from 



1820—1868.] DR. JOHN D. RUSS. 299 

Boston in June, 1827, laden with supplies. Other vessels followed in rapid 
succession, the majority of whose cargoes it fell to his lot to distribute. In 
the accomplishment of this work, he visited almost every village in Greece. 
He also established a hospital at Poras, of which he had the charge for fifteen 
months. Having determined then to erect a hospital more commensurate 
with the wants of the country, and having been furnished with a site at Hex- 
amelia on tha Isthmus of Corinth, he commenced and nearly completed a 
building two hundred feet in length and two stories high, when sickness com- 
pelled him to leave the work to others. In the Spring of 1830, Dr. Russ 
left Greece, and on his return visited Malta, Sicily, Italy and France. He 
reached Paris a few days before the breaking out of the Revolution, and 
brought the first intelligence of it to this country. He recommenced the 
practice of his profession in New York city, and during the prevalence of 
the cholera soon after, he was assistant physician at the cholera hospital at 
Corlears Hook in that city. At a little later period, he became interested 
in the condition of the children in the city nurseries, who were very gener- 
ally suffering from ophthalmia, and many of whom had lost their sight by 
this disease. At his own cost, he began the instruction of seven blind 
children — which was the first attempt of the kind in America. Finding the 
apparatus for their instruction, used in other countries, exceedingly rude and 
ill adapted to their use, he made many improvements in that used for the 
study of Arithmetic and Geography, and substituted for the old maps 
used with chords and pins, paper maps. These maps, first introduced 
by him, are now in use wherever civilization has caused the blind to be 
regarded. 

" Having retired from the direction of the New York Institution for the 
Blind, he next devoted his energies to the amelioration of prison discipline. 
In this cause he expended much gi'atuitous service, and distinguished himself 
as the author of several voluminous and highly important reports on that sub- 
ject. He was for many years Corresponding Secretary of the New York 
Prison Association. The over-crowded state of the City Penitentiary also 
excited his sympathies, and he commenced an agitation of political sentiment 
respecting this matter. The first meeting for the consideration of the subject 
was called by him, and it was a report written by him which led to the erec- 
tion of the present noble edifice known as the New York Work-house. He 
was also instrumental in the establishment of the Board of ' Ten Governors,' 
for the better regulation and oversight of the Penitentiary and Workhouse. 
In 1837, Dr. Russ wrote a letter to Henry Clay, then President of the Col- 
onization Society, in which he appealed to that statesman to aid in carrying 
out his views in relation to the gradual emancipation of the slaves. The plan 
proposed in it was the purchase of every female slave as she arrived at ma- 
turity, with the understanding that her master should retain her services un- 
til she was twenty-one years of age, and should cause her to be instructed in 
reading, writing and arithmetic. By this slow and gradual process, he 
thought slavery might be abolished in about twenty-five years, at an estimated 



300 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

cost of three hundred millions of dollars, without any violent organic change 
in society, and with the education of the slaves for the responsibilities of free- 
dom. In 1848, Dr. Russ was chosen a member of the Board of Education 
of the city of New York. During the last two years of his connection with 
it, through his influence and efforts, the laws regulating public instruction in 
the city were so altered as to unite the different organizations then existing, 
in one, and to build up that splendid system of school instruction which 
places New York city in the van of common school education. The sugges- 
tions and plans of Dr. Russ also led to the establishment of the New York 
Juvenile Asylum, in which the neglected children of the city, taken from the 
guardianship of their parents, are protected and educated by the State. He 
drew the act of incorporation, urged it through the Legislature, became Sec- 
retary of the Board, and since 1853, has been the Superintendent of the 
Asylum. To him, also, the Board are indebted for the plan of the edifice 
they now occupy. In the year 1830, Dr. Russ was married to Miss Eliza P. 
Jenkins, daughter of a captain in the English navy." 

1824'. March 24th, the town voted $125 to repair the 
long causeway. 

October. The town voted $600 for the purchase of a 
fire engine of four and one-lialf incli chamber, twenty-four 
buckets, two fire hooks and four long ladders, and the erec- 
tion of an engine-house on a piece of land near the meeting- 
house. In 1838, by vote of the town, this engine-house was 
moved to the spot which it now occupies near the "Centre 
gravel-pit." 

POOR-HOUSE AND FARM. 

1825. Though a committee had been appointed in 
March, 1821, "to consider the expediency of providing a 
permanent j^lace for the poor," it was not until March of 
this year that the town voted " to purchase an establish- 
ment for the poor for their permanent residence." Up to 
this time the poor, as in other places, were let out to the 
lowest bidder. A committee, consisting of George Choate, 
Esq., Jonathan Story, Esq., John Dexter, Col. William x\n- 
drews, Capt. Francis Burnham, Capt. James Perkins, Capt. 
Winthrop Low, were chosen to purchase a poor-house and 
farm, and were authorized to draw on the treasury for the 
cost. In December, the committee reported that they had 
purchased the house and farm of Capt. John Procter for 



1820—1868.] GEOEGE CHOATE, ESQ. 301 

$4,600. The house measured thirty feet by fifty, and had 
seven lodging-rooms for the poor. It had been built about 
a century. The farm contained about one hundred acres 
of upland, fifty of marsh and twenty acres of woodland. 
A committee of three was then chosen " to stock, furnish 
and prepare said farm for the reception and accommoda- 
>tion of the poor," and the sum of $800 was voted to de- 
fray the expense of the same. In March, 1826, $600 
more were voted for the same purpose. Mr. William Luf- 
kin, Jr., was the first superintendent, with a salary of $200. 
The number of paupers, when the house was opened, was 
twenty-one. In 1833, there were twenty paupers, "almost 
all of whom were impoverished either directly or indi- 
rectly by intemperance." 

April 4th. The town voted " that the selectmen allow 
no bills for liquor on the highway." At the same meeting, 
it was also voted " that the constables present to the grand 
jury, or otherwise prosecute, all persons that may be guilty 
of a violation of the law providing for the due observance 
of the Lord's day." 

1826. February 8th, died George Choate, Esq., aged 
64. At the time of his death he was treasurer of the 
town and of the parish. The following obituary notice 
appeared in the Salem Gazette : — " Few men have so well 
discharged the duties of husband, parent and citizen as 
Mr. Choate. He was for many years a member of the 
Legislature from Ipswich, and the first representative from 
Essex, and was much employed by his townsmen in the 
management of their concerns, deservedly enjoying their 
highest confidence, respect and esteem. By them his use- 
fulness will be long remembered. To a strength and pu- 
rity of mind there was united a quiet, peaceful and ami- 
able disposition, which greatly endeared him to his friends 
and acquaintances. So mindful was he of the rights of 
others that, as he never made an enemy, so certainly he 
has not left one ; and we cannot but admire and wish to 
imitate that discipline of mind and feeling, which he so 



302 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

eminently manifested, and which enabled him to perform 
the duties and sustain the fatigues and ills of life without 
a murmur or complaint. The virtues of honest fidelity 
and benevolen-ce will not perish with the body. For the 
upright and faithful there remaineth a rest. He was al- 
ways deeply interested in the cause of education, and 
gave his hearty and constant support to the institutions 
of religion." 

February 10th. Died, at Byfield, Dr. Parker Cleave- 
land, aged seventy-four years. He was a son of Rev. 
Mr. Cleaveland, and was born in Chebacco, October 14, 
(0. S.,) 1751. 

" He was not favored with the advantages of a collegiate course ; but hav- 
ing received as good a medical education as the country then afforded, he be- 
gan the practice in the parish of Byfield, at the early age of nineteen. At 
the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, he sought employment in the ser- 
vice of his country, was appointed chief surgeon of a continental regiment, 
and discharged the duties of that office during the first year of the war. Dr. 
Cleaveland repeatedly represented the town of Rowley in the General Court ; 
and was one of three, including the venerable Ex-President Adams, who 
were members of the two State conventions, of which, one formed and the 
other revised and amended the Constitution. For forty years he was an 
acting magistrate. In these and other public trusts, he displayed equal ability 
and faithfulness. At once active and patient, ardent and discriminating, had 
he been early trained to public speaking, he might have made himself felt and 
valued in any deliberative assembly. He was an intelligent and skillful phy- 
sician. Throughout his life, he read every medical work of importance that 
came in his way ; and though he adopted no opinions upon trust, or without 
the most considerate examination, yet far was he from shutting his mind upon 
the advancing light and improvements of the age. He was carefully observ- 
ant of every symptom and rarely erred in his judgment or prognostic. 

" He was a firm believer in the doctrines of revealed truth. It was indeed 
to the grand and beautiful system of the Gospel that he directed the chief 
force of his acute and vigorous understandino;. The ablest and most abstruse 
discussions of the great masters in theology, were the subjects of his close and 
successful investigation. Notwithstanding his professional and public duties 
and many distracting cares, he found time to read much, very much, both in 
practical and polemic divinity. He called no man master. His religious 
opinions were adopted only after the most patient and scrutinizing examination 
and comparison, and they were held with that meek firmness which is tlie 
natural result of convictions thus grounded. In his sentiments he was strictly 
orthodox. But let it not be supposed that his religion was a system of cold 



1820—1868.] DR. PARKER CLEAVELAND. 303 

speculation. It were difficult to do him greater injustice. He possessed not 
merely a well-furnished and argumentative head, but a heart replete with the 
best affections and graces of the Christian character. He was faithful, and 
affectionate, benevolent, humble and devoiit. Emphatically might he be called 
a man of prayer. Often at the bed of sickness has he administered to the 
sinking body, and cheered with holy hopes the desponding spirit. At differ- 
ent periods of peculiar religious attention, his pious and useful influence has 
been eminently conspicuous. Firmly confiding in the justice and the mercy 
of every providential dispensation, he endured with Christian resignation the 
trials of life. Called repeatedly to part with those who were dear to him, 
doomed in the decline of life to struggle with adverse circumstances, his firm- 
ness, his cheerfulness never forsook him. In the love of his Redeemer, he 
could find relief from every earthly solicitude ; this was the theme of his de- 
lightful contemplation. Although for many months before his death his health 
had been evidently failing, he was confined to the house but for a few weeks 
previously to that event. He seemed fully apprehensive that his dissolution 
was approaching, yet did not his principles, his faith or his hope desert him. 
He knew in whom he had trusted, and could therefore look back with satis- 
faction, and forward with unfaltering trust. In the death of such a man, it 
is superfluous to say that his family, his friends, his neighbors and the church 
have sustained an irreparable loss."* 

His children were the late Prof. Parker Cleaveland, 
LL. D., of Bowdoin College and the Eev. John P. Cleave- 
land, D. D., of Billerica, Mass. 

March. The town voted " to choose a School Commit- 
tee of five, to be sworn and paid for their services : that 
David Choate, Winthrop Low and Charles Dexter be a 
committee to inquire into the condition of the several 
schools : that the selectmen subscribe for the American 
Journal of Education." 

July 4th. The fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration 
of Independence was celebrated by the Essex Light In- 
fantry — the town uniting with them. An oration was 
delivered in the meeting-house by Rufus Choate, Esq., then 
of Danvers, but a native of Essex. The dinner following 
the public exercises, was served up in the inclosure belong- 
ing to Col. William Andrews, west of his house. The officers 
of the Light Infantry on this occasion, were Joshua Low, 
captain; Moses Andrews, Jr., lieutenant; John F. Burnham, 

* Boston Recorder, March 3, 1826. 



304 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

ensign ; committee of arrangements, David Choate, U. G. 
SpofForcl, Charles Dexter and Winthrop Low. The pre- 
ceding year the name of the company had been changed 
to " Essex Light Infantry." The uniform had also been 
changed at the same time to " a blue coat with gilt trim- 
mings and bell buttons, black varnished leather cap with 
gilt trimmings and a white plume, white trowsers and 
black half-boots." 

1827. A revival of religion in the Congregational 
Church commenced in September, as the result of which 
more than eighty persons united with the church during 
the years 1828 and 1829. The following account of the 
beginning of this revival is taken from the minutes of the 
clerk in the records of the church : 

" September. First Sabbath evening. A special meeting of the church 
to pray for the effusion of the Holy Spirit. A meeting also was held by ap- 
pointment at the house of the pastor, for any who might be anxiously in- 
quiring what they must do to be saved. Two persons attended this inquiry 
meeting. 

" Second Sabbath evening. Church meeting by adjournment at brother 
D. Choate's. Much engagedness manifest. The second inquiry meeting at 
the pastor's. Number of inquirers increased to ten. 

" Third Sabbath evening. At the meeting for the anxious, about thirty 
persons came in distress of mind to ' ask the law at the priest's lips.' 

" The usual Thursday evening lecture at the chapel was attended fully and 
with uncommon solemnity. Such an attention to the things of eternity has 
become apparent, as has not been witnessed within the memory of any hut 
the aged. 

"A prayer meeting appointed to be holden at the chapel on Sabbath morn- 
ing between the first and second bell ringing ; well attended and solemn ; is 
to be continued, if it should be attended in such numbers as to justify such 
continuance. 

" October. Inquiry meeting continued weekly, on Tuesday evening, at 
the pastor's ; also on Friday evening, at a private house in the Falls district ; 
number of inquirers exceeding thirty. 

"December. The hopeful appearances of a revival of religion continue 
deeply interesting, though without much perceptible increase. Inquiry meet- 
ing and lectures continued as usual." 

• 

1829, March. The town appropriated $150 for the re- 
pair of the great bridge and causeway. 



1820—1868.] TEMPERANCE REFORMATION. 305 

THE TEMPERANCE REFORMATION.* 

Some interest in the temperance movement had been 
previously awakened, but the first public address upon the 
subject was' delivered on the 16th of July, in the Congre- 
gational meeting-house, by William C. Goodell of Boston, 
the editor of a paper devoted to good morals and particu- 
larly to temperance. To most of the audience in attend- 
ance, the theme was a new one, and they were startled 
by the form in which it was announced by the speaker : 
" Ardent spirits ought to be banished from the land. What 
ought to be done can be done." The effect of the lecture, 
however, was seen in the formation of the first temperance 
society, at the same meeting. Its constitution bears the 
following title : " Essex Temperance Society, on the princi- 
ple of total abstinence; formed July 16, 1829. Prov. vi. 
27, 28 ; Col. ii. 1." It was drawn up by Mr. Goodell and 
Rev. Mr. Crowell, and its third article reads as follows : 

" The members of this society, believing that the use of intoxicating liquors 
is, for persons in health, not only unnecessary but hurtful ; and that the prac- 
tice is the cause of forming intemperate habits ; and that while it is continued, 
the evils of intemperance can never be prevented, do, therefore, agree that 
we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits, except as a medicine in case 
of bodily infirmity ; that we will not allow the use of them in oui- families, 
nor provide them for the entertainment of our friends, or for persons in our 
employment ; and that in al> suitable ways we will discountenance the use of 
them in the community." 

Seven persons only responded to the call to organize 
that society, and to sign the pledge that evening. Their 
names are as follows : Winthrop Low, Samuel Burnham, 
John Choate, John Perkins, Jonathan Eveleth, Francis 
Burnham, David Choate. Capt. Winthrop Low was elect- 
ed the first president of the society. Rev. Mr. Crowell's 
name for some reason, was not added until a few days after, 
though he was decided and earnest from the first in favor 
of the whole movement, and, in fact, had been the first to 



39 



*-rurnished by Mr. Uriah G. Spofford. 



306 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

introduce the subject to the notice of the people. Within 
a year following, forty others enrolled their names to the 
pledge, twenty-nine of whom were ladies. The names of 
the men were as follows: Robert W. Burnham, John S. 
Burnham, Philemon S. Eveleth, Zaccheus Burnham, Elias 
Savage, Thomas Perkins, U. G. Spofford, J. C. Perkins, 
James Perkins, Aaron Cogswell, Caleb Cogswell. 

Within a short time after the formation of the society, 
Mr. Goodell, Capt. Low and Mr. Crowell canvassed nearly 
all the town in behalf of the cause, presenting the subject 
to the people at their homes, and urging all to adopt the 
pledge. The public discourse and the conversations in 
private caused a good deal of excitement and commotion 
in the community. Many who were themselves well-dis- 
posed, kept aloof from the movement from the fear that 
they could not obtain workmen, imless they furnished 
liquor to their employes. But there was also great and 
bitter opposition in all parts of the town. Some ridiculed. 
Others declared that the temperance men were aiming to 
bring aboiit a union of Church and State. ^ The strongest 
opponents were those who were engaged in the traffic m 
liquor, and those whose views were determined by their 
appetite for it. Such contended against the movement 
with all their might. The members of the society how- 
ever were full of zeal in the cause. Weekly meetings 
were held in the chapel, and lectures were delivered in the 
meeting-house. From time to time, there were additional 
signatu°es to the pledge, and the reform went steadily on- 
ward, although from the opposition it encountered, its 
progress was slow for a number of years. So deep-rooted 
had become the custom of the social use of intoxicating 
drinks on all occasions, that, when Mr. Spofford succeeded 
in moving a building by the aid of the neighbors, without 
« treating " them, it was considered a remarkable feat, and 
was always remembered as the first instance of the kmd. 
Opposition to the cause was most strongly manifested, of 
course, when the town began to take action with reference 



1820—1868.] UNIVEESALIST SOCIETY. 307 

to it ; but such was the influence of the society, that as 
early as 1833 no hcenses were granted by the town. 

It was not long before an advance was made by the ad- 
vocates of temperance to the position of total abstinence 
from all fermented as well as from all distilled liquors. 
Rev. Mr. Frost was the first lecturer in town, who urged 
this application of the principles of temperance. He was 
followed by Mr. Moses B. Parish, who illustrated his argu- 
ment to prove that cider contained alcohol, by the use of 
a distilling apparatus in his lecture. It required consider- 
able time and discussion, in those days, to convince many 
people of this fact. 

That public sentiment was essentially revolutionized and 
the foundation of the reform firmly laid in those opening 
years of the temperance movement, the efiiciency of the 
subsequent temperance organizations, the sobriety of the 
inhabitants and the prevailing condition of public opinion 
have clearly shown. A sufficient illustration of the state of 
23ublic sentiment on this subject is found in the result of 
the State election of 1867, in which there was a majority 
of sixty votes in town in favor of the prohibitory law. 

1830. Town statistics : Population, 1,333 ; three per- 
sons over ninety years of age, and eleven between eighty 
and ninety years of age ; number of polls, 319 ; valuation, 
$322,298; number of dwelling-houses, 157. 

THE ESSEX UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY, 

Which had been formed April 20, 1829, was legally or- 
ganized on the 20tli of April of this year, at a meeting 
held by virtue of a warrant issued by Jonathan Story, Esq., 
at the request of ten members. The officers chosen at 
this meeting were Parker Burnham, Jr., moderator; Oliver 
Low, clerk; Enoch Low, treasurer; William Andrews, Jr., 
Benjamin Barnham, Jr., Parker Burnham, Jr., committee. 
The number of members at the formation of the society 
was forty-six. The next year, by vote of the society passed 
April 25, 1831, preaching was supported by subscription. 



308 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

1832. A school-house was built at the Falls this year. It 
was thirty-three feet by thirty, and eleven feet post. The 
building and the land on which it stood cost $800. The 
changes made in it in 1845, together with its repairs, 
cost $300. 

Graduated at Amherst College, Jonathan Cogswell Per- 
kins. Mr. Perkins was born November 21, 1809, and 
was fitted for college at Phillip's Academy, Andover, of 
which school he was a member in 1827 and 1828. Com- 
mencing the study of law in the October following his 
graduation at college, he was a student in the office of 
Hon. Rufus Choate until January, 1834, and then a mem- 
ber of the Cambridge Law School until May, 1835. Hav- 
ing finished his legal studies in the office of Hon. Leverett 
Saltonstall, of Salem, he was admitted to the bar at the 
September term of the Court of Common Pleas, the same 
year, and immediately commenced the practice of law 
in Salem. In the years 1845 and 1846, he was one of 
the representatives of Salem in the Legislature, and the 
next two years was a n>ember of the State Senate. In 
June following his second term of service in the Senate, 
he was appointed one of the Judges of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, which office he filled until 1859. In 1850, 
Judge Perkins, was elected one of the trustees of Amherst 
College. He had already rendered valuable service to his 
Alma Mater, when a member of the Legislature. In 1846, 
a donation of $25,000 was received from the State, by that 
college, with reference to which Dr. Hitchcock, at that 
time president, remarked on a public occasion : " The re- 
port and efibrts of the Hon. Jonathan C. Perkins as chair- 
man of the committee of the Legislature, exerted a strong 
influence in giving the college success in its application 
for aid from that body." Judge Perkins was in 1853 a 
member of the convention for revising the Constitution 
of the State. For many years he has also been distin- 
guished among the members of his profession, for his edi- 
tions of various foreign legal works, with additions and 



1820—1868.] MASTER JOSEPH STORY. 309 

copious annotations of his own. With reference to one 
of these, Hon. Simon Greenleaf, one of the highest legal 
authorities in the country, remarked in 1844 : 

" From my knowledge of Mr. Perkins as a well-read and exact lawyer 
eminently fitted for the work, I anticipated, from the first announcement of 
his design to furnish notes for an edition of Brown's Chancery Reports, a rich 
contribution to the stock of our equity jurisprudence. I have examined his 
notes with some care, and find my expectations more than realized. His 
notes are practical, and in neatness, comprehensiveness and accuracy, are not 
surpassed by any editorial notes which I have seen." 

In 1867, Mr. Perkins received from Amherst College the 
degree of LL. D. 

1833. March 14th, died Joseph Story, familiarly known 
as " Master Story." He was born December 12, 1760, was 
a soldier of the Revolution, and served through the whole 
of that war. He was in the Northern army when Gen. 
Burgoyne and his army surrendered. Mr. Story taught 
school thirty years, twenty-seven of them in the Falls 
District. He was town clerk, from the incorporation, and 
held that office much longer than any successor has done, 
and was clerk of the First Parish for a long series of years ; 
the exact number is not known, as there is a break in the 
record from 1775 to 1818. Mr. Story was clerk at that 
time (1818), and continued to be until 1825. 

NEW POOR-HOUSE. 

1834, March. The town voted to accept the report of a 
committee appointed in March, 1833, to consider the expe- 
diency of erecting a new poor-house, and to report respect- 
ing the material, size and expense of the same ; also voted 
to build a poor-house, and to expend $2,000 for the same. 
Jacob Story, Charles Dexter and Samuel Hardy were chosen 
building committee. In 1835, $914 more were voted to de- 
fray the balance of the cost of the house, and the thanks 
of the town were voted to the building committee. 

MILLS AT THE FALLS. 
This year a bark-mill was erected at the Falls, by Capt. 
Francis Burnham, in connection with his tanning estab- 



310 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

lishment. Three mill privileges at the Falls seem to have 
been improved from a very early period, although from 
the level of Chebacco pond to high water mark at the 
head of the creek at the " Falls Landing," there is a fall 
of only forty feet (according to a careful measurement 
made some years since.) The first mill-site was granted 
by the town in 1665, to a Mr. Wade, for a saw-mill. This 
was, according to authentic tradition, where Mr. Perkins 
Story's saw-mill now is, and this spot is believed to have 
been occupied for that purpose ever since. Mr. Story's 
present mill was erected in 1837. In 1667, the town 
granted leave to Mr. Thomas Burnham " to set up a saw- 
mill upon Chebacco River, not prejudicing Mr. Wade's." 
This was upon the same dam upon which the hark-mill 
now is, but on the other side of the stream. In 1687, 
John Burnham, a son of Thomas, having raised the dam 
two feet higher, which was " likely to damage the town 
very much by flowing the town common (commoners' 
land), and killing the wood if the dam be not removed, 
and the sai'd John Burnham now moving the town to have 
a place below where the dam now stands to set ujd the 
said mill, which place will be little or no damage to the 
town, only the flowing one acre or two of the town's com- 
mon, voted and granted unto the said John Burnham, in 
consideration of the grant to his father and the charge he 
will be at in moving his mill, liberty to set up his saw-mill 
upon the place now propounded for upon said river near 
to G. Story's mill ; and he is not to damnific any former 
grant." In 1698 or 1700, the saw-mill was removed, and 
a grist-mill took its place, as appears from an old account- 
book now in the possession of Mrs. Job Burnham ; and this 
spot has ever since been occupied by a grist-mill until quite 
recently. The last one was built about the year 1800, and 
was disused in 1847. It Avas torn down in 1862. 

1835, April 20th. The town voted " that the inhabit- 
ants, with their estates, north of the North school-house 
(which stood a few rods north-east of the house of Jona- 



1820—1868.1 CENTEAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. 



^1 



than Low) be called the Essex North School District, and 
the residue of the late North School District be called the 
Central School District." On account of some supposed 
illegality connected with this division of the North Dis- 
trict, or some defect in the statement of the boundary line 
between the two districts into which it was divided, the 
subject was brought again before the town, at a meeting 
held December 10, 1837 ; and it was then 

" Voted, that the section of territory which, previous to the year 1835, was 
called the North School District, be divided into two school districts by a 
direct line running due east and west, and drawn through the center of the 
spot of land upon which the North School-house, so called, stood, and from 
which it was removed in 1835. 

" Voted, that the two districts, so constituted, be known and called by the 
name of the North and Central School Districts." 

The Central District purchased a lot of land of John 
Perkins, and erected upon it a school-house twenty-eight 
feet in width by thirty-eight feet in length, and two stories 
in height. The building and land cost $1,925. It was 
opened for school purposes in December 1835. The first 
teacher in it, and the only one until December, 1842, with 
the exception of three winter terms, was Hon. David 
Choate, who, in addition to the town school in the winter 
months (except as above), taught a private school in it the 
remainder of the year. During this period, the average 
number of pupils per term was sixty. Many of them 
were from other towns. 

Among the features of this school of especial interest to the pupils, as recol- 
lected by some of them, were the use of apparatus to illustrate the principles 
of natural philosophy and astronomy, and of instruments in the study of sur- 
veying ; courses -of lectures on natural philosophy, and on other subjects; 
instruction in music and in Latin ; the constant use of outline and other 
maps, with which the school-room was abundantly supplied ; a school-library ; 
prizes for excellence in various branches, and a record of scholarship and of 
demerit; and every morning a unique "general exercise" of half an hour 
for the wliole school. This usually consisted of a familiar lecture by the 
teacher, on various subjects outside of the regular course of study, in which 
were communicated truths, aphorisms, instructive historical and ])iographieal 
anecdotes, and a mass of information of all kinds, adapted botli to stimulate 
and to enrich the minds of the pupils. In their estimation, it was the most 



3il " HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

interesting as well as profitable exercise of the day. Besides the regular 
studies, which were pursued with great thoroughness, and towards which a 
remarkable degree of enthusiasm was excited in the minds of the scholars, 
there were frequent exercises in singing, accompanied by the piano ; and at 
intervals, dialogues, moot-courts, readings from entertaining books, and ex- 
cursions to places and objects of interest. 

On the 29th of October, 1837, the district voted that the 
school be divided ; that the younger scholars be taught in 
tl^e chamber of the school-house, by a female teacher ; 
and that the division be made by the teacher, the Pruden- 
tial Committee, and the clerk, at their discretion. 

On the 30th of April, the first meeting of the new 
North District was held. Nehemiah Dodge was chosen 
moderator; John Burnham, clerk; Josiah Low, pruden- 
tial committee. By vote of the district, a school-house 
lot, of six square rods of land was purchased of John 
Burnham for $12, the school-house of the old North Dis- 
trict aforesaid was purchased for $48.78, removed to its 
present position, and the sum of $315 expended in repairs 
upon it. In 1846, further repairs were made upon it, for 
which the sum of $100 was raised. 

By vote of the Thompson's Island School District, at a 
meeting held March 21st, a new school-house was built in 
that district, on " a lot of land in front of the house of 
William Burnham, 4th, and on the corner of the Manches- 
ter and Ipswich roads," and the sum of $1,000 appropriated 
for the payment of the house and land. Benjamin Court- 
ney was chairman of the building committee. The old 
school-house, which stood between the present dwelling- 
houses of Moses Knowlton, Jr., and Aaron Burnham, Jr., 
and the land under it, were sold. In 1845* the school- 
house was divided into two rooms and painted, and the 
sum of $200 raised to defray the cost of the same. In 
1850, the building was raised from the underpinning, an- 
other story built beneath it, and the whole was painted. 
To defray the cost of these improvements, the sum of 
$650 was raised. 

September 1. Died, Mr. Westley Burnham, aged eighty- 



1820— 18G8.] 



MK. WESTLEY BURNHAM. 313 



eiw-ht years. He was the Q-ranclson of David Burnham who 
lived in the house since occupied by his great-grandson, 
the late Abner Burnham, at the south-eastern end of Che- 
bacco pond ; and who was a vessel-builder. The following 
sketch has been furnished by Mr. Robert W. Burnham. 

"This David Burnham is known to have built a brig, at the foot of what is 
now Addison Cogsweirs liill, near the creek. It would seem that the family of 
Burnhams had been sliipwrights from time immemorial. Tlieir system was, for 
a considerable period, thought to be peculiar to themselves, as it was different 
from any now in vogue here, but it has recently been found in a book on 
naval architecture, which was brought from England about thirty years ago. 

" Mr. Burnham's father was also named Wostley. He died June 28, 
1797, aged seventy-eight. The mother of the subject of this sketch was 
Deborah, the daughter of Dea. Zechariah Story. She was born in 1723, in 
the old house now belonging to Aaron Story, 2d, and died November 24, 
1821, aged ninety-eight. 

"Mr. Burnham was born August 27, 1747. In his early life, he was a 
sailor. At the age of seventeen, he made a voyage to Lisbon, and rowed in 
a boat over the site of Old Lisbon, which had been destroyed .and sunk by an 
earthquake in 1755. He became a successful navigator, although his educa- 
tion had been only such as Chebacco aftbrded. No vessel commanded by 
him was ever wrecked or dismasted ; and his judgment in maritime matters 
was very highly esteemed. He was always styled ' Skipper Westley.' For 
several years in succession, he made voyages to Virginia. The cargoes in 
those days, usually consisted of fish, lumber, and New England rum. In 
exchange for these, corn, raccoon-skins, snake-root and rice were obtained, 
and brought into Chebacco, or disposed of at other harbors in the country. 
Mr. Burnham was also a fisherman, and made many trips to the 'Grand 
Banks.' He afterwards followed the hereditary occupation of vessel-building. 
He was a man of extraordinary strength. 

" For a short time, Mr. Burnham served as a soldier in the war of the 
Revolution. Afterwards he entered the privateering service. In an engage- 
ment with the enemy, the vessel in which he sailed was captured, and with 
the rest of the crew he was carried to Englapd. An order of the admiralty 
gave permission to any American prisoners to go on board his majesty's ships 
and do sailor's duty, except figliting, if they should choose to do so, in prefer- 
ence to lying in prison. After remaining some time in the ' Mill Prison,' he 
took advantage of this order, and entered the seventy-four gunship Preston. 
While on a cruise on the West India station, he was taken sick with the small- 
pox,, and was left in hospital in Jamaica, He was so near to dying thei'e, 
that one man who returned to this country from that island reported to his 
family that he was dead. On his recovery he immediately took ship for Bos- 
ton, and on arriving there, walked to Chebacco. His arrival was noised 
40 



314 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

abroad, and as he expressed it, ' that night all Chebaeco was at the house to 
see one who had risen from the dead.' Though not a member of the church, 
he was a constant church-goer, and a strict observer of the Sabbath, which in 
his belief and practice commenced on Saturday evening. For a considerable 
length of time, he was totally blind. And it is a very significant fact with 
reference to his intellio;ence and mental trainino;, that he was then accustomed 
to spend his evenings in listening to the reading of a grandson (who was for 
several years a member of his family), partly for his own entertainment, but 
also for the sake of knowing what the boy was in the habit of reading, and 
of training him to a correct pronunciation. Mistakes in accent and in-em- 
phasis w^re carefully criticised, and passages were required to be read over 
and over again, until their meaning was properly and fully expressed. 

"In 1771, he was married to Molly, daughter of Robert Woodbury of 
Beverly Farms. Mrs. Burnham was born July 29, 1749, and died April 
27, 1830, at the age of eighty years and nine months. To these parents, 
each of a robust and long-lived race, were born ten children, and the lon- 
gevity of these children has been as remarkable as that of their parents. 
Molly (Mrs. Caleb Andrews.) was born October 13, 1772, and died Febru- 
ary 18, 1847. Westley was born September 14, 1774, and died June 21, 
1811. Nathan was born May 26, 177G, and died September 23, 1860. 
Asa was born September 9, 1778, and died May 23, 1850. Michael was 
born April 3, 1781, and died October 28, 1862. Henry was born June 23, 
1783, and died 1867. Anne (Mrs. Abner Burnham,) was born July 14, 
1785, and died March 3, 1862. Samuel was born October 28, 1787. 
Richard was born December 9, 1790, and died January 1, 1855. Ruth 
(Mrs. Jacob Burnham,) was born March 16, 1793. The eldest son only, 
of all these children, has died before reaching old age. 

"Even he, however, left seven children — Zaccheus (born November 13, 
1797, died July 28, 1856); John Story; Hannah (born October 8, 1801, 
died February 2, 1858) ; Mary (Mrs. Luke Burnham) ; Robert Woodbury ; 
Edith (Mrs. Eli Burnham), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Caleb Cogswell). Deprived of 
their father at such an early age, these children, the eldest being less than four- 
teen at the time of his death, were fortunate in their mother, who trained them, 
and who lived to see the results of her tuition and solicitude. She was Hannah 
Story, the daughter of John and Hannah Perkins Story; was born October 10, 
1775, and died May 18, 1847. Her father was a son of Elder Seth Story. 

" The grandchildren of Skipper Westley have numbered eighty-one. His 
favorite employments have, to a great extent, been adopted by his descend- 
ants, though few of them have had as much experience of a sea-faring life 
and so many nautical adventures to relate as his son Samuel. One of his 
most memorable voyages was made when he was about twenty-two years of 
age. In January of the year 1809 or 1810, he sailed in a top-sail schooner, 
Capt. Jacob Woodbury commanding, from Beverly to Baltimore, Md., thence 
to Oporto, Portugal, and from that port to Archangel, Russia. There the 
vessel lay frozen in the harbor from September 21st until the following May. 



1820—1868.1 COL. WILLIAM ANDREWS. 315 

On the passage home, they kept "off shore" iu order to avoid the French 
cruisers, and sailing across in from 73° to 75° north latitude, they saw the 
sun for six days and nights in succession. Their return cargo was invoiced 
at $80,000. It consisted of iron, hemp, linen diaper and mats. 

" The life at sea of one of the grandsons — the late Mr. Zaccheus Burn- 
ham — was also marked by incidents of interest, and escapes from the dangers 
common to those who ' do business in great waters.' Sailing from Salem, iu 
November, 1821, he made a voyage to the port of Batapia, in the Island 
of Java, thence io Samarang on the Malay coast, back again to Batavia, and 
thence to Boston, arriving September 4, 1822, Off the Cape of Good 
Hope — as appears from his log-book — the ship encountered a gale of wind 
which lasted six days. - She was also struck by lightning, and several of the 
crew were stunned, but no one was killed. On the homeward passage, ' Sep- 
tember 9, 1822, in latitude 12° north, longitude 40° west, saw a sail ahead, 
judged to be a pirate. Bore away for her, and made preparations to engage 
her ; knocked open our ports, (the Delphos was a heavy ship, and showed ports 
like a sloop-of-war) ; showed our teeth — quaker guns and all — and gave her a 
gun, when she immediately clapped on all sail and steered to the westward.' " 

1836. This year the town appropriated $800 for school 
purposes. From the incorporation of the town to 1823, 
the sum of $400 per annum had been raised for schools ; 
from 1823 to 1834 inclusive, the sum of $600 annually, 
and in 1835 the sum of $750. 

April 23. Died, William Andrews, Jr., aged sixty-two, 
after a very short illness. " His death has occasioned n£)t 
only a severe and irreparable loss to his relatives and 
friends, but is also a public calamity to the town in which 
he lived, and of which he was a most worthy and valuable 
citizen. He was an industrious and thriving member of 
one of the most universally industrious and thriving com- 
munities. He was a good husband, an obliging and esti- 
mable neighbor, a courteous and social companion. Many 
offices of trust and honor have been bestowed upon him 
by his fellow-citizens, all of which he has executed with sin- 
gular zeal and fidelity. His friends and fellow-townsmen 
will long deeply feel that in the death of Col. Andrews* 
they sustain the loss of one of the most respectable, in- 
telligent and useful citizens, cut off in the midst of his 

* Col. Andrews was a son of Jacob Andrews. His brothers were Jacob, Ebenezer, 
Tyler, Daniel, Samuel and Moses ; and his sisters, Mary and Sally. 



310 ■ niSTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. G. 

days, in the midst of his hopes. What shadows we are, 
what shadoW'S we pursue." * 

A UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 

Was erected this year, by proprietors, on shares of |50 
each. Its dimensions are as follows : length fifty-six feet, 
width forty-two feet, height to the bell-deck forty-five feet, 
height to the vane sevent3^-five feet. The building com- 
mittee were Jacob Storj^, Oliver Low, John Dexter, Parker 
Burnham, 2d, and Samuel Hardy. The cost of the house 
and land was $4,500. More than this amount was received 
from the sale of the pews — fifty-six in number — at auction. 
The church was dedicated " to the worship of God and the 
purposes of religion " on Wednesdg.y, December 14. 

" After a night of severe storm, the day was not inauspicious. Many 
from neighboring towns gathered together. The dedicatory services were as 
follows: 1, Anthem; 2, Reading of the Scriptures by Kev. J. M. Austin 
of Danvers ; 3, Introductory prayer by Eev. J. H. Willis of Stafford, Ct. ; 
4, Anthem ; 5, Dedicatory prayer by Rev. S. Brimblecom of Danvers ; 
6, Hymn ; 7, Sermon by Rev. Thomas Whittemore, from Acts xvii. 19, 20 ; 
8, Anthem ; 9, Benediction. In the afternoon a sermon was preached by 
Rev. Thomas Starr King of Charlestown, from I. John iv. 16. In the evening 
a conference was held, to which Christians of all denominations were most 
cordially invited. The services even to the last were attended by overflowing 
congregations, more being present than could be seated. The house is a very 
neat edifice. It is the handsomest in Essex and has a very fine location in 
the center of the population." f 

In 1866-67 the interior of the church was thoroughly 
repaired, and furnished with a new pulpit and new pews, 
and upholstered, at a cost of $3,500. An organ was also 
purchased, the cost of which was $1,000. 

The pastors or preachers to the Universalist Society, 

have been the following : 

April, 1838, to 1840, Rev. Augustus C. L. Arnold; May, 1840, to 
November. 1844, Rev. John Prince; June, 1845, to April, 1849, Rev. H. 
H. Baker; July, 1849, to 1850, Rev. Willard Spaulding; March, 1851, to 
1853, Rev. C. H. Dutton; May, 1852, to July, 1856, Rev. John Prince; 
October, 1856, Rev. Emmons Partridge ; March, 1858, Rev S. Gofi"; April, 
1859, to May, 1861, Rev. J. JI. Tullee. 

* Salem Gazette. t Universalist Trumpet, Boston. 



1820—1868.] DK. NEIIEMIAII CLEAVELAND. 317 

In 1844, the society received a legacy of eighteen acres 
of land, valued at $3,000, from Mrs. Betsey, wife of Jacob 
Story. Her will was dated December 18, 1844. This 
property has since been sold. 

1837. February 26, died at Topsfield, Nehemiah 
Cleaveland, M. D., aged 76, the youngest son of Rev. 
John Cleaveland, late of this place. 

" He was born in Chebacoo, August 26, 1760. After his service in the 
army of the Revolution, he spent some time at home, taking upon liimself 
during that critical and distressing period, almost the entire support of the 
family. The importance of his services there, and the want of means, pre- 
vented him from obtaining a collegiate education. 

" Having studied physic with his brother and with Dr. Manning of Ips- 
wich, he entered on the practice at Topsfield, in 1783. Together with his 
employment as a physician, his services were often required in various public 
offices. A zealous Federalist in politics, he was for five years a useful mem- 
ber of the Senate, and his weight of character, knowledge, judgment and 
good sense were felt and acknowledged l)y his associates at that board, — 
among them some of the first men in the State. In 1814, he was appointed 
a Session Justice of the circuit court of common pleas. From 1820 to 
1822, he was Associate Justice of the Court of Sessions, and from 1823 to 
1828, he was Chief-Justice. For this station, he was well-fitted by his knowl- 
edge of business, his sound discretion, and his unyielding firmness in all 
questions of principle and duty. In 1824, he received from Harvard Col- 
lege the honorary degree of Doctor in Medicine. 

" Dr. Cleaveland was nursed in the Puritan strictness of earlier times. 
His character, early formed and invigorated under the pressure of hardship 
and stern necessity, and amid the thrilling scenes of the Revolution, exhibited 
in his maturer years the strength and firmness which might be expected from 
such training. There was no effeminacy about him. He regulated his life 
with the closest regard to principle. If his strictness sometimes bordered on 
severity, his severity was of the wholesome kind. With all this, his natural 
sensibilities were quick and tender. 

" In public affairs and political questions, ho took, from his first entry into 
active life, a lively interest. Of his political opinions, his children will never 
feel ashamed, for they can say they were those of Hamilton, Jay and Wash- 
ington. As a physician, he was much esteemed by those who had opportunity 
to learn his worth. He made, indeed, no pretensions to extensive medical 
lore — he attempted no difficult surgical operations. But lie had — what all 
the schools of medicine of themselves cannot supply — an observing mind, a 
retentive memory, a good judgment, and a high sense of responsibility. Nor 
did he, like too many country pliysicians, neglect the reading of medical 
books and journals. His practice was always pnident and cautious — quali- 



318 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [CftAP. 6. 

ties which young and ardent physicians are not apt sufficiently to admire. 
He was punctual in attending calls, and kind and cheerful in the sick-room. 
He possessed, in a high degree, the qualities which ensure to a physician the 
confidence and attachment of his patients. But the country doctor finds 
many opportunities and calls to do good, for which the faculty, as such, give 
no prescriptions. Happy he, who has the power and disposition to meet such 
calls. During the fifty years of his practice in Topsfield, few days probably 
passed, when his opinion or assistance was not sought in some matter aside 
from his profession. There were few occurrences or questions, incident to 
common life, in regard to which he had not formed an opinion, or could not 
give judicious advice. Indeed, the mere fact that through so long a series of 
years, confidence continued undiminished — the oracle being consulted to the 
very last — proves that the responses had not been found unsafe or fallacious. 
The happy influences of so long a course of beneficent action are not to be esti- 
mated. How many quarrels have been arrested — how many lawsuits prevented 
— how much needless expense and trouble saved, in a thousand instances, by 
the timely, the un-feed advice of a judicious and peace-making neighbor. 

" Trained in the orthodoxy of primitive times, his early opinions were con- 
firmed by the personal and careful investigation of his maturer years, and he 
was abundantly able to give a reason for his faith, as well as his hope. Opin- 
ions so decided — so cherished — could not be without their influence ; they 
moulded his character and shaped his conduct. The diff'usion of truth — the 
suppression of vice in every form — the spread of religion, pure and unde- 
filed — were objects for which he loved to pray — for which he labored, and to 
which he contributed liberally of his substance. Yet after a long life em- 
ployed in doing good, his hopes, his dependence, were in Christ alone. Thus 
soothed, ' faded his late declining years away.' Thus sustained, from the midst 
of the affectionate circle, which had learned of him to venerate true worth, 
with undisturbed serenity and undiminished hope, he sunk gently to the tomb. 

" His form was well-proportioned and he was of large stature, erect and of 
commanding aspect. His constitution was vigorous and his health unbroken 
until his fiftieth year ; from that period he suffered much from one of the 
most painful of maladies."* 

His first wife, who died childless in 1791, was Lucy, the daughter of Dr. 
Manning. His second wife, the mother of nine children, was Experience, 
the daughter of Dr. Elisha Lord, of Pomfret, Ct. She died in 1845, at the 
age of eighty-one. Five of her children were living in 185G — William N. 
Cleaveland, Esq., now of Boxford ; Nehemiah Cleaveland, Esq., of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., (now of Topsfield,) a distinguished teacher and scholar, a graduate of 
Bowdoin College; John Cleaveland, Esq., a lawyer in New York eity, a 
graduate of Bowdoin (since deceased) ; Eev. Elisha L. Cleaveland, D. D., 
pastor of a church in New Haven, also a graduate of Bowdoin (now also de- 
ceased) ; and Mary, the widow of the late Rev. 0. A. Taylor of Manchester. 

* Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. 



1820—1868.] THE LIGHT INFANTRY. 319 

April. The town voted that its proportion of the " sur- 
plus revenue " of the United States should be applied to 
the payment of the town's debt. The first three install- 
ments amounted to $2,835.26. 

This year, in accordance with a provision of law, the 
Light Infantry company was disbanded. Its last officers 
were John S. Burnham, Captain, Asa R. Andrews, Lieu- 
tenant, Uriah G. Spoflford, Ensign. The militia company, 
which included all males between the ages of eighteen 
and forty-five, except the " uniform company " and persons 
especially exempted by law, had its last " May training " 
and was also disbanded. It numbered, at this time, about 
sixty members. Its last officers were Isaac Farnham, Cap- 
tain, Nathan Burnham, Third (afterwards First), Lieuten- 
ant, Seth Story, Acting Ensign and Clerk. After this 
time the militia were merely enrolled. 

The powder-house, still standing, was built in 1820 by 
the town for the use of the Light Infantry and the militia, 
at a cost of |95. 

August 23. Graduated at the Weslej^an University, 
Middletown, Ct., Thomas Sewall, Jr. : 

He was born in this place, April 28, 1818, and received his academic 
education at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Phillips Academy, Ando- 
ver, and the Wesleyan Seminary, Readfield, Me. His orations at the " Senior 
exhibition," November 29, 1836, and on " Commencement day," when he 
closed his connection with the university, are still remembered for their re- 
markable excellence and power, by some who were his teachers then. In 
the year 1838, having completed his theological studies, JMr. Sewall entered 
the ministry of the Methodist Euiscopal church ; and has been engaged in 
duties of his profession since that time, with the exception of five years. 
One of these was spent in a tour to Europe and the East. During the other 
four, he was compelled by symptoms of pulmonary disease to retire from the 
pulpit, and visit the South. By President Taylor he was appointed United 
States Consul to Santiago de Cuba, and remained there ten months, but was 
not permitted to exercise tlie functions of his office becau.sc he was a Protestant 
clergyman. Returning home, he was appointed to a desk in the Department 
of the Interior at Washington, and was afterwards transferred to the Depart- 
ment of State under Daniel Wehstei*. Resigning this position in 1853, he 
resumed the active work of the ministry. Most of his professional life has 
been spent in Maryland and Virginia. He is now (June, 1868,) pastor of a 



320 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

churcli in Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1864, Mr. Sewall received the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. 

1838. The town appropriated the sum of $1,000 for 
school purposes. A coininittee of three was also chosen " to 
make improvements in the grave-yard, and to enlarge it." 

1840. Town statistics : Population, 1432 ; number of 
polls, 465; town valuation, $439,906. 

1841. By vote of the South School District, a lot of 
land south-east of the old school-house lot, consisting of 
five rods, was purchased, and a new school-house erected 
on it, at an expense of $589.82. The building-committee 
were Jeremiah Cogswell, Warren Low, and Winthrop 
Burnham, Jr. They were authorized by the district to 
sell the old school-house. 

EEMODELING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL 
MEETING-HOUSE. 

1842. The Congregational meeting-house was changed 
and improved in structure and appearance : 

At a meeting of the First Parish, held February 7th, " John Choate, 
Samuel Procter, Capt. Francis Burnham, Caleb Cogswell, Col. H. C. Cogs- 
well, William H. Mears and Issacher Burnham were chosen a committee to 
consider the subject of making any repairs or alterations in the meeting-house, 
to sketch a plan of such alteration and the probable expense of it, and I'cport 
at the adjournment." On the 18th of the same month this committee re- 
ported a plan for remodeling the meeting-house, which, with some changes 
made at a subsequent meeting, was adopted. Soon after, Caleb Cogswell, 
"William H. Mears, Adam Boyd, Capt. Francis Burnham and Nathan Burn- 
ham, 3d, were appointed a committee to carry the contemplated alteration 
into effect, and were instructed to complete the work on or before the first of 
October following. The pews in the olcF meeting-house were appraised by 
a committee consisting of John Punchard, Esq., of Salem, Dea. John Saf- 
ford of Beverly and Dea. Jabez R. Gott of Bockport, chosen by the parish 
for this purpose. 

The contract for remodeling the churcli was taken by iMr. Uriah G. SpofFord. 
The master-mason was Mr. Whipple of Hamilton, and the master-painter Mr. 
William Moseley of Ipswich. The floor of the audience-chamber was laid 
sixteen inches below the old " gallery girth," giving a hight of seventeen 
feet for the audience-chamber, and of eight feet for the lower story. The 
pulpit was designed by the contractor, and was built by Mr. David C. Fos- 
ter, formerly of Essex. During the alteration of the house, the church and 



1820—1868.] CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH. 321 

congregation worshiped in the "basement," the old pulpit standing on the 
floor directly under the place where it had previously been. 

October 31st, the parish voted that the pews in the new meeting-house be 
rented for the purpose of raising money to support their minister, and to de- 
fray the other parish charges, and that the rent of the pews be paid quarterly 
in advance ; that Winthrop Low, John Buruham and Dr. Josiah Lamson be 
a committee to apportion the rent on the several pews according to their loca- 
tion in the house, and to let the pews at auction on Friday, November 4th ; 
and that the money which may be received for the choice of said pews shall 
go towards paying for the old pews. 

The church was dedicated on Thursday, November 3d. The sermon on 
this occasion was preached by the pastor, from the text, " Make not my Fa- 
ther's house a house of merchandise ; " John ii. 16. Other clergymen present, 
most of whom took part in the exercises, were Rev. Messrs. Kimball and 
Fitz of Ipswich, Gale of Rockport, Nickels of Gloucester, 0. A. Taylor of 
Manchester, and Kelley of Hamilton. 

The improvements which have been made since in the meeting-house have 
been as follows : In 1846-7 the north porch was removed, and the north end 
repaired, which, with painting a part of the outside, cost $200. In 1849-50, 
the sum of $450, the net proceeds of "Fairs," conducted by ladies of the 
parish, was expended in fitting up and furnishing the " basement " and pro- 
viding blinds for its windows. In 1852, the upper part of the tower was 
thoroughly repaired, a new spire erected, the corners each side of the tower 
filled out, the gallery moved back, and four flights of stairs built in the space 
thus gained, two chimneys built, and three sides of the exterior painted, at an 
expense of $1,425. The frescoing and graining of the interior, in 1853, cost 
$335, which sum was raised by the "Female Benevolent Society," chiefly 
by means of a " Fair." An organ was purchased by subscription in 1854, 
the cost of which was $700. 

The cost of remodeling and furnishing the house, and of all these improve- 
ments, exclusive of the organ, was $4,550. Of this sum, $1,700 were ob- 
tained by the sale of the parish lands, the parish having voted, July 4, 1842, 
to sell them for this purpose, and having appointed " Winthrop Low, David 
Choate, Francis Burnham, Caleb Cogswell and Samuel Procter a committee 
to sell and convey all of the parsonage pasture, tillagedand, wood-land and 
marsh, and in the name of the parish to give deeds thereof, and also to signify 
by said deeds the assent of the parish to the conveyance of said lands by 
their minister, which assent is hereby given." These parish lands were ori^-i- 
nally " commoners' land," and amounted to about fifty acres in all. Be- 
nevolent associations and individuals, at different times, contributed $1,392, 
and the parish raised $1,458 by tax. The old pews were appraised at $367, 
while the " choice-money " for the new pews amounted to $210. " The 
Ladies' Sewing Society " contributed the carpets and pulpit-furniture, and 
the Sabbath-school gave the clock. 

41 



322 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

This year also was organized the "Essex Washington 
Total Abstinence Society." The objects of the society, 
as stated in its constitution, were " to reclaim those who 
a.re unfortunately addicted to habits of intemperance, and 
to banish from the community the sale and use of intoxi- 
cating liquors as a beverage, by the use of moral suasion, 
and by exerting an individual as well as associated influ- 
ence in all laudable ways." The condition of member- 
ship was " the signing the pledge of total abstinence from 
everything that can intoxicate, except for medicinal pur- 
poses." The pledge also contained the following clause. 
"And above all, the members of this society, agree that 
they will use their utmost endeavors to reclaim and re- 
store to temperance those that are unfortunately addicted 
to drunkenness." " It shall be the duty," adds another ar- 
ticle of the constitution, " of every member of this society 
to cheer and encourage those who have reformed, and to 
endeavor by a well directed and proper personal influence 
to induce others to "go and do likewise." The pledge 
has the names of 385 persons affixed to it. The first 
officers were Uriah G. Spofford, president; Humphrey C. 
Cogswell, secretary and treasurer ; Thomas H. Griggs, 
Sylvanus Hardy and Capt. Winthrop Low, managers. The 
last entry in the records of this society is dated, February 
21, 1849. 

1845. Died, April 10th, in Washington City, D. C, in 
the fifty-ninth year of his age, Thomas Sewall, M. D. 

" Dr. Sewall was born April 16th, 1786, in Augusta, Me. He received his 
academic education, and began the study of medicine, in bis native place. 
His professional studies were continued with Dr. Jeffries of Boston, and in 
the medical college there. After practicing medicine a few years in Chebacco, 
he attended the lectures of Rush, Barton and others in Philadelphia, in 1811, 
received the degree of M. D. at Harvard College, August 26, 1812, and 
immediately resumed his professional work. In 1819, he removed to this 
city. His practice soon became extensive and lucrative ; and it is believed 
has not been exceeded. In either respect, by that of any other of the local 
faculty, several members of which rank among the most eminent physicians 
in the Union. In 1821, he was appointed Professor of Anatomy in the Na- 
tional Medical College, connected with Columbia College, in Washington, 



1820—1868.] DR. THOMAS SEWALL. 323 

and retained a cliair in it as he did also his membership, during the residue 
of his life. From the year 1825, when the school went into operation, till 
the close of the season next preceding his death, he was punctual in deliver- 
ing the periodical lectures, and in discharging the other duties appropriate to 
his professorship. His professorship at the time of his death was that of the 
" Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Columbia College." Amid the 
pressure of official engagements, and an onerous professional business, he was 
enabled by a methodical arrangement of his time to gain leisure for composi- 
tion. Several of his works, especially the Essays on Phrenology and the 
Tract on Temperance, the latter of which was translated into the German lan- 
guage, obtained a wide circulation, as well in Europe as in this country, and 
fixed the reputation of the author as a profound and exact inquirer, and as 
an accomplished writer. The professional merits of Dr. Sewall are too deeply 
felt in this community, and too diffusively known abroad, to need illustration. 
Though endowed by nature with a bold and penetrating genius, and though 
rich in all the learning of his science and vigilant in marking its progress, he 
never allowed his judgment to yield to the fascination of theories, or to the 
authority of systems ; but founded his practice on the solid basis of experi- 
ence. Ever mindful of the maxim of the great master of medical philosophy, 
that the physician is only the minister of nature, he rested on this safe moni- 
tor with a confidence which was fully vindicated by his long and successful 
practice. As a conscientious and fjiithful servant of the public, it is believed 
that he could not have been surpassed. His constitution was feeble ; several 
of his organs were chronically disordered ; and for the last twenty years of 
his life he was fighting off the fatal consiimption. But these considerations 
could never persuade him to turn a deaf ear to the call of sickness, though 
made often in the most inclement weather and often in the dead of night. 
Such a call, at all times, and under all circumstances, he promptly obeyed ; 
and with the skill of a physician, carried to the bed of the sick or the dying, 
the tenderness of a friend. It was in a course of lono; and self-sacrificino; at- 
tentions to a patient that he contracted the disease which was the proximate 
cause of his own death. 

" The subject of this notice was scarcely more distinguished in the profes- 
sion of his choice, than he was exemplary in all the relations of life — religious, 
domestic and social. In 1828, he became a professor of religion, and joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the discharge of his duties as an officer 
of that church he was scrupulously regular. It was his rule to attend public 
worship twice on every Sunday, however numerous and exacting might be his 
professional engagements ; and, tliough sometimes they constrained him to go 
late or to come away suddenly, his adherence to the rule was invariable. The 
faith which he professed, was his guide through life and his consolation in 
death. From an early period of his malady he despaired of recovery; but 
that despair of life here was brightened by the hope of life hereafter, and by 
his lively but humble trust in the promises of the Gospel — a trust which gave 
him power to bear with resignation the most excruciatipg bodily pain. Intent 



324 . HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

to the last on doing good to his fellow-men, he employed the intervals of ease 
in admonitions, as fervent as they were gentle, to the friends who, from time 
to time, were permitted to draw near his bedside. His mind continued un- 
clouded throughout his long and agonizing sickness ; and only an hour before 
his death he gave thanks, in brief and affecting terms, to God for his mercies. 
This hasty notice would be even more imperfect than it must be, without some 
allusion to Dr. Sewall, as a kind and affectionate kinsman and faithful friend. 
But to do more than allude to these prominent features of his character might 
touch harshly on grief too deep, and as yet too fresh, to be approached." * 
His widow, Mrs. Mary Choate Sewall, died at Kockville, Md., March 29, 
1855. 

Early Tuesday morning, the 22d of July, a destructive 
hail-storm passed over the center of the town from west 
to east, breaking about three thousand panes of glass, 
chiefly in the houses of the central village. It accom- 
panied a terrific thunder-storm, and occurred after several 
days of intensely hot weather : 

" About three o'clock, a severe thunder-storm occurred, accompanied by a 
high wind, copious showers, and a considerable quantity of hail. The eve- 
ning previous was delightfully clear and pleasant, and the change in the as- 
pect of affairs appeared remarkably sudden to those who were aroused from 
their slumbers by the storm. The flashes of lightning were incessant, and 
the hail and the thunder, although not very alarming here, indicated a severe 
conflict of the elements among our neighbors at no great distance. In Essex, 
we understand the hail-stones were of immense size, and destroyed a great 
quantity of glass. One gentleman stated that the arm, which he put out of 
his window in shutting the blinds, was so pelted with the lumps of ice as to 
be seriously hurt and lamed. It is said that some of the hail-stones measured 
seven inches in circumference an hour after they fell, and that they would 
average about the size of pullets' eggs. One man states that he counted a 
thousand panes broken, within half a mile, as he came along the road. The 
hail fell in a very narrow vein, and with such force as to break through the 
blinds on the meeting-house." t 

The present school-house of the East District was built 
this year. 

1848, March. The town appropriated $1,300 for school 
purposes. It also voted " that the selectmen set up bounds 
to, and open and fix for use, the landing near the shop of 
Samuel Hardy, near the eastern end of the causeway, and 
that the sum of $100 be raised for this purpose." 

* yyashiijgton Dally Globe, ApriJ IJth, 1845. t Salem Register, and Gazette. 



1820—1868.] CHRISTIAN BAPTIST SOCIETY. 325 

This year the Christian Baptist Society was reorganized, 
at a meeting assembled by virtue of a warrant issued by 
Ezra Perkins, Jr., Esq. William E. Burnham was chosen 
moderator, Nathaniel Macintire, clerk and treasurer, W. H. 
Burnham, John C. Burnham, William G. Burnham, society 
committee. By vote of the society, a new house of wor- 
ship was erected in 1849, called the "Century Chapel." 
It is forty by forty-six feet, and contains forty-six pews. 
It was designed that this should be nfree church, and the 
original plan was to have it built on shares of $5 each. 
But a sufficient amount not having been secured by this 
method, it w^as concluded to sell the pews. From this 
sale a larger sum was received than the entire cost of the 
building, which was $1,500. 

1849. The "Chebacco Division No. 19 of the Sons of 
Temperance of Massachusetts," was organized on the 27th 
of June, at which time fifteen persons were initiated : 

" Eighty-one persons united with the Order afterward. The number of 
members at the time of its dissolution, October 13, 1855, was forty-two. 
The whole amount of money paid into the treasury was $1,160. Of this 
sum $478 were paid out in benefits to sick members and to defray funeral 
charges. The sum of $75 was paid to lecturers and in the circulation of 
documents on the subject of temperance. Eleven lectures were given by 
gentlemen from abroad under the direction of the " Division," and eighteen 
public meetings were held in the different school districts of the town, in all 
of which free debate was allowed. 

" Under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance, a section of the Cadets 
of Temperance was formed, which numbered in all fifty-seven members. 
This was an association of boys, pledged against the use of intoxicating 
drinks, tobacco in all its forms, and the use of profane language. Besides 
the regular business of the " Order," the Cadets ene-agred in declamations, 
readings, debates and mock-courts, with a great deal of interest and profit to 
themselves, and satisfaction to the audience. This organization was aban- 
doned in May, 1851. The Sons of Temperance had a library formed by 
contributions from the members. On the 13th of August, 1855, a vote to 
surrender the charter of the Division was passed. The property was divided, 
the books returned to those who had contributed them, and the funds divided 
among the members." 

1850. April 4th, died, in Boston, Mr. Thomas Marshall 
Burnham, aged 64. He was the son of Thomas Marshall 



326 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

Burnham, and was born and brought up in Chebacco. His 
brothers were Benjamin, Obed Zeno, Azor, and George W., 
a trader on Thompson's Island and whose son succeeds 
him in the same business. About the year 1808, Mr. 
Burnham married Abigail (born March 25, 1787,) daugh- 
ter of Daniel Low, and sister of Enoch and the late Capt. 
Winthrop Low. In early life he was a trader, at fii^t in 
his native parish, and afterwards at Ipswich Centre ; but 
at the close of the war with England, he removed, with 
his family, to the eastern part of Maine. About the year 
1825, he went to Boston, and was for a tim.e a dealer in 
furniture. Not long after, he established a store for the 
purchase and sale of second-hand books. The business 
was at first on a small scale, his capital being very limited ; 
but it prospered and grew from time to time until his stock 
in trade filled two stores of four or five stories each, and 
" Burnham's antiquarian bookstore," in Cornhill, became 
generally known as the first and largest establishment of 
the kind in the country. For many years, it has been 
famous everywhere for its extensive and valuable collec- 
tion of old and rare books, in almost all branches of litera- 
ture and science, and in a great variety of languages, 
ancient and modern ; and has, therefore, been a favorite 
place of resort for antiquarians, authors and scholars gen- 
erally. The idea of this unique kind of trade seems to 
have been original with this native of Chebacco, and by 
it he amassed a fortune. 

September 30, died, Jonathan Story, Esq.. aged 75 : 

" He was a man of uncommon powers of mind, and in attempting to de- 
lineate them, we feel that there is danger of seeming to be extravagant. 
While he was living, it might have been said with much truth, however, that 
* none knew him but to love him ; ' and now he is gone, it may be also said 
with equal truth, 'none name him but to praise.' But mere expressions of 
regret for the loss of such a man do not seem to be all that such a case re- 
quires. Nothing, indeed, of ours can now reach him, or in any way affect 
the dull, cold ear of death. It may be of use, however, to the living and 
certainly affords a serious gratification to our own minds to attempt some 
sketch of Mr. Story's character and life. He was born in Chebacco, in Ips- 
wich (now Essex), in 1775, and spent his early life in laborious occupations 



1820— 1868.J JONATHAN STORY, ESQ. 327 

upon his father's farm and in the mill. Although he inherited a godd con- 
stitution and had uninterrupted health, in consequence of which he accom- 
plished a great amount of manual labor, both as a mechanic and a farmer, 
yet he did not overlook the cultivation of his mind. Books, indeed, were 
not abundant nor always accessible at that day, but all that he read he under- 
stood and remembered. There seemed to be a natural foundation for knowl- 
edge in his mind. New ideas delighted him always, to the end of his life, 
and yet he appeared like one who had thought of the same thing before — a 
proof of having a mind of high order. He required less labor to understand 
a subject than men generally do. His ear was always open to receive in- 
struction, and every important fact or principle, that came under his observa- 
tion, found a place of deposit in his mind. Four months' residence at 
Dummer Academy under that prince of teachei'S, Mr. Moody, in addition to 
the common schools, aiForded the only advantages of which he was able to 
avail himself. But a love of knowledge was kindled up in his mind, which 
traveled on through life without weariness or decay. He studied geometry 
and surveying with Father Moody, and soon became one of the most eminent 
surveyors in the State. While the saw was running through the log in his 
father's mill, young Story would draw his diagrams with a piece of chalk on 
a board or piece of bark, and thus continue the studies that made him after- 
ward so distinguished. As a surveyor, Mr. Story was accurate, but it was 
his superior judgment and long experience that made his services so valuable. 
He was far more than a mere artist. Others might perhaps take angles as 
accurately and ascertain quantities as well, but he was an arbitrator always, 
remembering that another party was interested in settling the boundaries of 
land, and that other party often, or generally absent. It was natural for him 
to do justice between man and man, and he had the pleasure of satisfying 
both the parties, whether in settling disputed lines as a surveyor, or litigated 
questions as a magistrate, in more cases than is common among men. He 
had the geogi-aphy (so to speak) of that great tract of wood-land extending 
from Beverly to Gloucester and from Essex to Manchester, fully in his mind 
and could have mapped out all the great and small divisions upon paper with 
as much ease as a school-boy would make the multiplication table. Unfortu- 
nately all this knowledge has died with him. After the experience of fifty 
years which he had, it is not too much to say that no man living can begin to 
make his place in these respects in society, good. As a magistrate, Mr. 
Story may be said to have dealt out justice with an impartial hand. Never 
hasty in deciding, he rarely felt himself under the necessity of revising his 
own decisions or found them reversed by the higher tribunals. His knowl- 
edge of law was extensive. When present in the higlier courts, he was awake 
to everything, and heard the ai-guments of counsel witli the deepest interest, 
perceiving their fallacy or admiring their truth as the case might be, but 
listening always with the profoundest veneration to everything that fell from 
the court. But he was a peacK-maker . Many, many causes have been set- 
tled or left to referees by his advice, and thus expensive litigation has been 



328 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

prevented, so often ruinous to the parties and which has so often separated so 
many chief friends. He was a man of uncommon discernment, being quick 
to discover and read out the character of others and to take their intellectual 
guage and dimensions. And as he was rarely under the necessity of making 
more than one decision upon the same subject, so he was generally correct in 
his first estimate of persons. The social qualities of our deceased friend 
must not be overlooked, for they will not soon be forgotten, having formed so 
amiable a part of his character. His wit was keen, and while it was inno- 
cent and harmless, he could make a thousand smile whenever he was so dis- 
posed ; though generally, his pleasantry had some useful bearing, and would 
often operate to settle a doubtful question far better than the language of 
gravity and wisdom itself. He had a faculty of adapting himself to the 
different classes of men whom he met. With gentlemen of the bar, when 
business brought him in contact with them, he was at home, receiving instruc- 
tion and imparting delight. So with the other professions ; and yet he would 
turn himself with perfect ease to old acquaintances in their working dress ; 
and while he would seem on a level with the humblest of men, none ever 
forgot for a moment to respect and honor him, thus showing that true worth 
will after all be appreciated and understood everywhere. He was benevolent 
in a very important sense of the term. Nobody, it is believed, ever sought 
his advice and counsel, without finding him ready to impart it, even though 
it had cost him much study and reflection to enable him to give it. And 
when he did give his opinion and advice, it came as free as the mountain 
breeze, and was none the less valuable for being gratuitous. The poor and 
the fatherless and he that had none to help him, always found a friend in 
him. He would not indeed squander his sympathies upon unworthy objects, 
but wherever there was an oppressor, he took the part of the oppressed, and 
in many such ways as these he has caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 
He enjoyed the confidence of his townsmen in an unusual degree, having 
represented the town many years successively in General Court, and having 
long filled various town offices. It is not pretended that Mr. Story was a 
perfect man. That he had failings we are not disposed to deny. But these 
failings belonged to the infirmities and not to the vices of humanity. As a 
husband, a father and a citizen, he certainly lived and acted usefully and 
well. And it is exceedingly to be desired that our young men, especially, 
who are to be the architects of their own characters and fortunes should care- 
fully study and well consider the steps by which our departed father and 
friend rose to a position so respectable and so useful. Mr. Story's views of 
religion were those generally denominated orthodox. For the support of this 
faith, he contributed regularly through life, and declared a short time before 
his death, that his only hope of future happiness was in a crucified Redeemer. 
He said he felt himself to be a great sinner, and desired the prayers of all 
Christians that he might be prepared for the retributions of eternity. He 
expressed to his minister his most ardent desire that all his relatives and 
friends would immediately seek an interest in that religion which alone can 



1820—1868.] CHEBACCO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. 329 

prepare the soul for death and heaven. Mr. Story leaves a widow and one 
son only, but the whole community unite with them in lamenting his death."* 

1851. By vote of the town, a new fire-engine was ob- 
tained, and an engine-house built for it on " Thompson's 
Island" near the causeway, at an expense of $800. For 
the management of it, the "Essex Fire Association at- 
tached to the Essex Engine No. 2 " was formed November 
19th, consisting of thirty-five members. The first officers 
were John J. Clark, foreman; Andrew Howes, assistant 
foreman ; William B. Gary, clerk. 

In the Autumn of this year was established the " Essex 
Lyceum." The " Lyceum " successfully conducted an ex- 
tended course of entertaining, instructive and valuable 
lectures during each Winter of its existence. In addition 
to occasional lectures from the resident clergymen of the 
town, the managers from time to time obtained the ser- 
vices of eminent lecturers from abroad, whose lectures 
were attended by large audiences. Meetings were also 
.held for the mutual improvement of the members, the 
exercises consisting of declamations, select readings, oral 
discussions and occasionally the reading of a paper enti- 
tled the " Essex Lyceum Talent," its contents being com- 
posed mostly of original articles written by members ot 
the Lyceum, with occasional contributions from some of 
the ladies of the village. The officers of this lyceum 
have been as follows : presidents, Aaron L. Burnham, 0. 
H. P. Sargent, John Prince ; vice presidents, Norman Story, 
Sylvester Eveleth, Ira Otis Burnham, J. Perkins Spoffbrd ; 
corresponding secretaries, John Prince, 0. H. P. Sargent ; 
recording secretaries, Aaron Low, J. M. Richardson, W. 
B. Gary, Samuel P. Haskell, W. W. Pendergast, Andrew 
Howes; treasurers, Joseph us Burnham, Aaron Low; man- 
agers, Timothy Andrews, Jr., Norman Story, S. P. Haskell, 
John H. Burnham. In the year 185G, the lyceum was 
merged in the " Ghebacco Library Association," which was 
organized on the 5th of June of that year, in accordance 

* " D. C," in the Salem Gazette. 
42 



330 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. G. 

with an act of incorporation passed by the Legislature 
and approved by the Governor, May 1, 1856. Section 1 of 
this act is as follows : 

" John Prince, 0. H. P. Sargent, Samuel P. Haskell, Andrew Howes, 
Charles Howes, Nathan Burnham, 4th, &c., their associates and successors, 
are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Chebacco Library Associa- 
tion, to be established in the town of Essex, for the purpose of instituting and 
sustaining a library and reading-room, and promoting public instruction by lec- 
tures or otherwise, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the du- 
ties, liabilities and restrictions set forth in Chapter 44 of the Revised Statutes." 

Section 2 provides that the said corporation may hold real and personal 
estate for the purposes aforesaid, to an amount not exceeding $10,000. 

At the first meeting of the petitioners, the charter was 
accepted and a constitution adopted. Article 2 of this 
instrument is as follows : 

" No person shall be an active member of this association, or enabled to 
vote in its regular business meetings, or be eligible to any office therein, un- 
less he be a worling man — the term working man being understood as sig- 
nifying a person who follows any respectable calling or pursuit, whereby he 
obtains his livelihood, and who does not derive his support without industry, 
from wealth already inherited or accumulated. Any person not thus disqual- 
ified, may become a member by signing the constitution and paying one dol- 
lar." The officers are to be chosen semi-annually except the Trustees who 
are to be chosen for a term of years ; and no presiding officer shall be chosen 
a second time until every other member who is willing to officiate shall have 
been elected and shall have served one term." 

The first officers were : John Prince, president ; An- 
drew Howes and Charles Howes, vice-presidents ; John 
H. Burnham, Andrew Howes and John Prince, trustees ; 
Samuel P. Haskell, secretary and librarian. " The inau. 
guration of the Chebacco Library Association took place 
December 24, IS'SG. The meeting was called to order by 
the president, who briefly stated the object of the associa- 
tion. By invitation, prayer was offered by Rev. J. M. 
Bacon ; after which speeches were made by Messrs. Part- 
ridge, Choate, Spofford, Bacon and others." In Septem- 
ber, 1857, the association numbered seventy-four members 
and had a library of four hundred and forty-two volumes. 
Iji 1867, the number of volumes was six hundred. 



1820—1868.] CONSECRATION OF CEMETEEY. 331 

THE SPRING STREET CEMETERY. 
1852. In accordance with a vote of the town, a lot of 
land consisting of two acres and twenty rods was pur- 
chased and prepared for. use as a cemetery, and called from 
its location, the " Spring Street Cemetery," The cost of 
the land was |856 ; of the fence, $635; of the trees and 
posts, and grading in front of the yard, $200 ; of grading 
the yard itself, $275 ; total, $1,966. It contains one 
hundred and eighty-nine whole lots, fifteen feet by twenty 
in size, and appraised at $7 each; and seventy-seven half 
lots, nine feet by fifteen in size, and appraised at $3 each. 

" This new burial-ground was publicly set apart by appropriate consecra- 
ting ceremonies, on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 27, 1852. A large 
concourse of people assembled on the ground at two o'clock, when the follow- 
ing original Ode, written for the occasion by Rev. John Prince, after having 
been read by him, was sung by a large choir, composed of the principal sing- 
ers of the town, under the direction of Mr. Robert W. Burnham, many 
others of the assembly also joining : 

" Borne hither to this chosen spot, 

Henceforth, as years shall onward glide, 
Will forms now animate with thought, 
Repose, enshrouded, side by side. 

" Withdrawn by Death's mysterious power, 
Life's scenes they'll leave, at every stage, 
From blithesome childhood's sunny hour 
To manhood's prime, and trembling age. 

*' With folded hands across the breast. 
With lips that move no more at will, 
And features calm, — they here shall rest, 
With upward look, serene and still. 

" And when, from earth's enthrallment free, 
The soul ascends, in joyful trust, 
Still sacred shaU the relics be, 
Though motionless, insensate dust. 

" Here oft shall names be fondly read, 

While flowers above the mounds shall spring, 
Of souls from mortal vision fled 
On stainless and ethereal wing. 

"As to the Patriarch, in his dream. 
So unto us such faith be given, 
That hence this hallowed ground may seem 
' The house of God, the gate of heaven.' " 



332 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

"A brief consecratory prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. Crowell ; at 
the close of which, under the direction of Hon. David Choate, as Chief Mar- 
shal, the people walked in procession, preceded by the oflScers of the town, 
to the basement story of the North Church, where an address was delivered 
by Rev. Dr. Crowell. It had originally been designed that all the services 
should take place upon the ground, within the enclosure ; but, at the time 
appointed, the coolness of the weather, (although the day was pleasant, for 
a period so late in the season), rendered it expedient, both on account of the 
speaker and the audience, that the address should be delivered within doors. 
The occasion was one of solemn interest, which the inhabitants of the place 
will long remember."* 

The following is an extract from the address delivered 
at the consecration of the cemetery : 

"For the space of nearly half a century our venerated fathers the first set- 
tlers of this town carried their dead to the centre of Ipswich. They would 
not bury them on their own lands, for to this they had not been accustomed 
in their native country ; and because, too, their private property might change 
hands, and the graves found on it might not be treated in a manner suffi- 
ciently sacred. Hence there is no tradition of any burials on private lands, 
and no such graves or remains of our fathers have ever been found among us. 
According to the views and habits in which they had been trained, they 
buried their dead near the sanctuary where they assembled from Sabbath to 
Sabbath to worship Him, who is the God both of the living and of the dead. 
Though no carriages were used in that day, and but very few horses, and the 
corpse was borne the long distance of five miles on the shoulders of men, yet 
by frequent changes on the part of under-bearers, as they were termed, and by 
the habit of walking, which prevailed in that day among all classes of society, 
the service was by no means so burdensome as it might now seem to us. 

"If, indeed, there had been carriages and horses, yet such was the custom 
of the day, such their veneration for the dead, that anything other than the 
bier upon the shoulders of men would have been considered an unsuitable 
vehicle for conveying the corpse to the grave. That custom and those feel- 
ings continued among us until somewhat less than forty years since ; and 
when in that late day the change to the use of a hearse was talked of, some 
of the older people strongly objected to it, as too near an approach to the des- 
ecration of the dead. 

" It was not till twelve years after the burial of Mr. John Cogswell (the 
first settler) in the centre of Ipswich, during which time more of the original 
settlers were there laid in their graves, that a burying-ground was opened 
here. This is our ancient grave-yard, judged to be now so filled with the 
dead as to admit of but few more ; thus creating the necessity for procuring 
and opening this our new and spacious cemetery. 

* Appendix to the Address delivered at the Consecration of the Cemetery. 



1820—1868.] DEDICATORY ADDRESS. 333 

" If Mr. Cogswell, who was the original owner of this spot of ground, were 
with us, to-day, in his venerable form, with what pious benignity would he look 
upon the scene before us : a portion of ground once bis own, enclosed, 
arranged and prepared, with a simplicity, neatness, convenience and orna- 
ment, so well becoming the sacred use for which it is designed. With 
what satisfaction and delight, too, would he lift up his eyes, and survey 
the whole prospect around, — the beautifully cultivated fields, instead of 
the dark and dense forests, which, in his day, covered hill and dale ; 
the cheering hum of business, instead of the howl of wild beasts and savage 
men ; the comfortable and ornamented dwellings, the beautiful churches and 
school-houses, and the many fruits of industry, frugality and temperance, 
marking the temporal prosperity of the place. Would that he could witness 
an equal degree of moral prosperity among us ; the fear of God, the observ- 
ance of his Sabbaths, the reverence of his name, and obedience to his word. 
Would not the good man's joy in these respects be much abated? But our 
hope and our prayer is that better days will come, when this whole people 
shall be as distinguished for righteousness, godliness and truth, as they are now 
for intelligence, industry, economy and thrift. 

" It is a fact of much interest that one or move families of the Aborigines 
once dwelt on this now consecrated ground and huried their dead under this 
soil. In preparing the ground, the remnants of the bones of two adults and 
a child, as is supposed, were discovered, all lying in the same direction, with 
a sea-shell by their side. Not far from this, the remnants of wood-ashes and 
clam-shells gave indubitable proof that an Indian wigwam had been there lo- 
cated. The inference that these bones are the remains of those Indian fami- 
lies seems unavoidable. In all probability they have lain there not far from 
two hundred years. We look upon them with interest and veneration, not 
only as the bones of human beings, but as mementos of a race once living 
and active on this soil, but now wholly passed away. ' Tread lightly on the 
ashes of the dead,' is a venerated maxim. They were owners of the ground 
under which they laid their dead. Shall we not acknowledge their title, and 
give these sacred remains a resting-place, near where they were found, with 
some simple monument that shall tell the interesting fact? 

" During the hundred and seventy-one years that our ancient cemetery has 
been in use, riot less than two thousand persons have been buried there, ac- 
cording to the nearest estimate that can be made from the Parish Records.* 

" Truly we may say, in view of this fact, — ' How populous is the grave.' 

*Among these were the first three ministers, whose pastorates together cover a 
period of one hundred and eighteen years. Tiie oldest grave-stone in this hurial- 
ground, whose inscription is legible, bears the date, 1710. The inscription is as 
follows : 

ADAM COGSWELL, 

SON OF 
LIEUT. ADAM COGSWELL AND MRS. ABIGAIL COGSWELL, 

Died February ye 4th, 1709-10, 
AGED 19 YEARS. 



334 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

More lie buried on that one acre of ground than are now living and active in 
their daily concerns, in the whole town. How striking the fact, that all this 
busy population may be gathered under the sod of a single acre. In that 
silent house lie our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, our children 
and grandchildren. Once they were full of life and activity. Their voices 
were heard in these dwellings, in accents of friendship and love. They 
walked these streets ; they trod these fields, and their hands were diligently 
employed in their several pursuits. They were subject, also, as we are, to 
the sorrows and afflictions of life. Nearly all of them, we may suppose, fol- 
lowed their dead to that ancient yard, and with tears of anguish looked for 
the last time into that narrow house, the grave, soon to be their dwelling and 
resting-place for the body. In view of the more than two thousand burials 
there, each spreading sorrow and grief through many hearts, we see that our 
ancient cemetery has been truly a place of weeping. There have been buried, 
not only the dead, but along with them many cherished hopes, many fond ex- 
pectations, many comforts and joys, leaving the heart desolate and sad, to be 
relieved, sustained and cheered only by the sweet promises and animating 
hopes of holy writ. That cemetery will still he dear to us. It will not be 
forsaken. It will be visited by the living, though it can contain but few 
more of the dead. Tears of grief will still be shed there in the recollection 
of those who have been taken from our affectionate embraces, and whose faces 
we shall see no more on earth. 

" What that ancient field has been, so will be this, which we now consecrate 
to the same mournful and hallowed purpose. Here provision is made for 
more than four thousand graves, which in process of time will all be filled. 
In the interval of less than two centuries, judging of the future from the past, 
there will enter this field of the dead more than four thousand funeral pro- 
cessions. What a picture of grief is here for the imagination to contemplate ! 
Each single procession, as it approaches with slow and mournful step, indi- 
catino- the heart full of sadness and sorrow, is an affecting and impressive rep- 
resentation of human woe. What, then, must the whole be, when you have 
brouo'ht to your view one hundred such mournful scenes, yea, a thousand, 
and even four thousand ? 

" But this is not a theme for the imagination only. It will soon be matter 
of bitter experience to many of us, as one loved friend after another is 
taken from us, and we bear his remains to this hallowed ground. Let us 
bless the God of providence and of grace, that in the midst of such scenes 
of sorrow whicb await us all, we have so many sources of consolation and 
support set before us; that when called to bury our dead, we have so 
safe, commodious and desirable a resting-place for their remains. Here 
we may come and indulge in many tender recollections and profitable medi- 
tations. Here, as in the ancient ground, we may learn the frailty of man, 
the uncertainty of life, the vanity and emptiness of earthly things, and the 
value of the Bible, in the light which it sheds on the darkness of the grave. 
Here, from the Christian epitaphs that will be inscribed on the monuments of 



1820—1868.] TOWN STATISTICS. 335 

the dead, we may gather wholesome instruction, and find the cemetery a 
school of morals, and piety, as well as a resting-place for our departed friends. 
Here, as in the ancient yai'd, we will cherish the Christian hope of a general 
resurrection, and direct our thoughts to that final scene. How solemn and 
eventful that great day, when all that are in their graves shall come forth, 
and all that are alive upon the earth shall have their bodies made immortal, 
and the innumerable throng be caught up together with the Lord in the air, to 
receive from the lips of their Judge their final destination. ' Seeing then that 
all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in 
all holy conversation and godliness ; looking for and hasting unto the coming 
of the day of God.'" 

1855. A new road was laid out by the county commis- 
sioners from the Falls to the Central Village. Its cost 
was $1,961.88. 

The town statistics were as follows : 

Number of inhabitants, 1,668 ; paupers, 7 ; persons over ninety years of 
age, 5 ; persons of foreign birth, 128 ; negroes, 12 ; number of polls, 430. 
Of the legal voters, 96 were of the name of Burnham ; 46 of the name of 
Story ; and 45 of the name of Andrews. Number of families, 383 ; dwell- 
ings, 294. Pupils in the Winter schools, 351 ; in the Summer schools, 294. 
Value of real estate, $548,685 ; of personal estate, $297,358 ; total, $846,043. 
Value of the town's property, $6,494. Town debt, $1,039.14. Cost of main- 
taining paupers per annum, $262. Expended upon highways, $1,456. Ap- 
propriated for schools, $1,500. 

1856. Rev. James M. Bacon was installed pastor of 
the Congregational Church and Society, July 9th. The 
public exercises- were as follows : invocation by Rev. Jere- 
miah Taylor of Wenham ; reading of the Scriptures by 
Rev. Mr. Mordough of Hamilton ; sermon by Rev. Edward 
N. Kirk, D. D., of Boston 5 installing praj'^er by Rev. R. 
Campbell of Newburyport ; charge to the pastor by Rev. 
Daniel Fitz, D. D., of Ipswich ; right-hand of fellowship 
by Rev. J. E. Dwinell of Salem ; address to the people 
by Rev. L. Withington, D. D., of Newbury; concluding 
prayer by Rev. D. T. Kimball of Ipswich. 

There were frequent and destructive thunder-storms 
this year. Mrs. D. W. Bartlett was killed by lightning, 
June 30th ; also,. Mr. AVilliam Burnham, July 4th. The 
lightning struck in twenty or more places in town. 



336 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

Several cattle, also, were killed by it during the Summer. 
Such was the frequency with which the lightning struck 
in Essex, while nothing unusual of the kind occurred in 
neighboring towns, that it became an object of interest- 
ing and scientific inquiry in the Essex Institute, a society 
of literary gentlemen in the county, whose central place 
of meeting is Salem, 

1860. The town statistics were as follows : 

Population, 1,701. Value of real estate, $597,508; of personal estate, 
S357,598; total, $955,106. Town debt, $1,536. Amount of money 
raised by taxation, $5,920.93, viz: State tax, $280; county tax, $1,047.05; 
for schools, $1,500; for highways and overlaying; $1,122.15; other town 
charges, $1,800; overlaying, $171.73. 

EOPE -WALKS. 

This year a rope-walk — the fourth in town — was built 
by Mr. John Mears, Jr. 

Prior to 1820 the rope-making business had been carried on at the Falls 
by Capt. Nathaniel Burnham and Mr. Jonathan Burnham in company, and 
at the North End, by Mr. Samuel Hardy. A son of the last mentioned, the 
late Mr. Daniel Hardy, was the first manufacturer of fishing-lines on any 
considerable scale. In 1836, he removed his factory from the Hardy farm to 
its present location in the Central District. The late Mr. John Mears, Sen., 
entered upon the same business about the year 1825, also at the North End. 
In 1840, his sons, Messrs. David and William H. Mears, formed a partner- 
ship for the manufacture of lines, leasing for this purpose a part of their 
father's "walk." After the dissolution of this partnership, Mr. William H. 
Mears' rope-walk, on the hill, was built in 1845, and Mr. David Mears, a 
few years later, purchased his father's " walk " and moved it to a spot near 
bis house. For several years he employed steam-power for spinning cotton 
and laying lines, but the work is now wholly done by hand. The number of 
workmen employed in the factories averages from ten to fifteen. 

Some hemp has been worked since 1820. But the stock used at the pres- 
ent time, and for many years past, is cotton warp or yarn — to the amount of 
about twenty-five tons a year on the average. Mackerel-lines were made to a 
considerable extent during the first part of this period (1820-1868), but 
since then, cod lines principally. The length of a cod line is twenty-six 
fathoms or one hundred and fifty-six feet. About three thousand five hun- 
dred dozen of these are now made yearly — chiefly in the Winter and Spring — 
and are sold in the market for $15,000, on the average. They are marketed 
chiefly in Gloucester, Boston, Beverly and Marblehead. 



1820—1868.] QUAKTERLY FAST CENTENNIAL. 337 

MUSICAL PRECOCITY. 

A rare instance of the early development of musical 
talent is exhibited, this year, in a child three years old — 
Martha S. P. Story, a daughter of Mr. Andrew Story, 2d. 
The following account is chiefly condensed from a " Bio- 
graphical Sketch by Miss Hannah C. Marshall," published 
this year : 

In 1859, Martha, then only two years and nine months old, startled her 
parents by playing a part of a familiar psalm-tune on the melodeon. Miss 
M taught her the air and bass of a few simple tunes ; and soon after, she 
began to imitate what she heard others play. Before the close of the year 
slie could play eight tunes. In May of this year, she could play more than 
fifty ditFerent pieces, with both hands, in perfect harmony of two, three or 
four parts, in good time, with ease and with great expression at the first at- 
tempt. In February, she played for the first time on the piano. She also 
played the organ at one of the churches in town one Sabbath. The little 
musician was not merely an imitator, however, but composed several tunes 
which were written down in musical characters, while she was playing them, 
and two of which were published. April 6th, she gave a concert in town, 
playing fourteen pieces. Not long after, she gave several concerts in Glou- 
cester, Salem and Boston, which were attended by large audiences. " Fler 
performance," wrote B. P. Shillaber, Esq., in the Boston Saturday Evening 
Gazette, "is not the mere child's play of picking out a tune by the single finger, 
but she gives the expression of the whole harmony, and all without the least 
apparent efibrt. She is an artless and simple child, and plays with as much 
natural ease and unconsciousness as a bird sings." In the judgment of Mr. 
Paine, a musical critic, " for a child of her age, her performance upon the 
melodeon and pianoforte were absolutely marvellous, for no indications of 
rote playing or automaton execution were observable." According to the 
reporter of the Daily Bee "she played the Prairie Flower, arranged as a 
schottische, in an admirable manner ; also Sweet Home, Hamburg, Old 
Cabin Home, Lightly Roio, The Troubadour, and several other tunes, which 
were heartily applauded, especially Hail Columbia." 

December 31st, occurred the centennial observance of 
the " Quarterly Fast," by the Congregational Church : 

*' In the forenoon a sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Fitz of Ipswich, on 
the subject of unused talent, from jMutthew, 25 : 25. The afternoon was oc- 
cupied by the pastors present — Rev. Messrs Bacon, Fitz and Mordougli — and 
Deacons Francis Burnham and David Choate, in giving reminiscences of for- 
mer ministers of this ancient church, particularly of Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, as 

the existence of the Quarterly Fast depended so much upon that veteran 
43 



338 HISTORY OP ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

preacher and patriot. A large delegation from the South church in Ipswich 
was present, strongly reminding many of the former years, when the fullest 
meetings of the year were on the Quarterly Fast day." 

1861. In March, Dr. Josiah Lamson closed his practice 
as the physician of the town. A native of Topsfield, he 
was fitted for college at Bradford and Dummer Acade- 
mies — his preceptor at the latter school being Benjamin 
Allen, LL. D. In 1814, he graduated at Harvard College. 
The three years following he spent in the study of medi- 
cine with Thomas Kittredge, M. D., of Andover. He also 
attended the medical lectures of the Harvard College 
Medical School in 1816 and 1817, and in the Autumn of 
1817 received the degree of M. D., from the Censors of 
the Massachusetts Medical Society. Soon after, he was 
invited to Chebacco by a committee of the parish, and 
began the practice of medicine here in 1818. 

Dr. John D. Lovering began the practice of medicine 
here immediately after Dr. Lamson's retirement from the 
active duties of his profession. 

Dr. William H. Hull began his practice in town, Janu- 
ary 29, 1859. 

1862. Hon. John Prince, after a residence in Essex of 
more than twenty years, removes to Washington, D. C. 
Mr. Prince was born in Beverly, April 18, 1820. His great- 
grandfather, Dr. Jonathan Prince, was the first resident 
physician in Danvers, and of extensive practice through- 
out a wide circuit. His grandfather, Capt. Asa Prince, 
was an officer in Col. Mansfield's regiment in the War of 
the Revolution. His mother was a daughter of Abner 
Day,* for more than thirty years a deacon of the South 
Church in Ipswich, and a man very highly esteemed. In 
his boyhood, Mr. Prince learned the printer's trade, and 
worked as a journeyman for several years. At the age 
of nineteen, having availed himself of such opportunities 

* The maiden name of Mrs. Day's grandmother was Choate. She married a Mr. 
Martin. After the death of Mrs. Day's father (Potter), her mother was married a 
second time to Dea. Stephen Choate, her first cousin. The late Amos Choate, Esq., 
register of deeds, was their son. 



1820— 18G8.] HON. JOHN PRINCE. 339 

as were afforded for cultivating his powers as a writer and 
speaker, he commenced preaching. In May, 1840, he be- 
came the stated minister of the Universalist Society in 
Essex, and continued in that relation until November, 
1844. While in this position, he was a member of a con- 
vention of anti-slavery Universalists in Lynn, in the Au- 
tumn of 1841, and as chairman of a committee appointed 
for that purpose, wrote an address to the denomination on 
the subject of slavery ; which was adopted by the conven- 
tion. This was published the same year in the Christian 
Freeman, Boston, and in the National Anti-Slavery Stand- 
ard, New York, and was the first anti-slavery document 
issued by any assemblage of the Universalist denomina- 
tion. For four years from the close of his pastorate in 
Essex, Mr. Prince had charge of a society in South Dan- 
vers. The next four years he spent in lecturing before 
lyceums, upon temperance and upon political subjects; 
while preaching, also, in various places — at Meredith 
Bridge, N. H., in 1850 and 1851. In May, 1852, he again 
became pastor of the society in Essex, which office he 
finally resigned, July, 1856, after a pastoral service of 
nearly nine years in all. While in this relation, he offici- 
ated at more than a hundred and fifty marriages. During 
his residence in Essex, Mr. Prince was an active supporter 
of the temperance cause, and devoted much time to edu- 
cational and literary matters. Of the town school com- 
mittee he was a member fourteen years — nine of them in 
continuous succession, and during several of them officia- 
ted as chairman. In 1843, he established a printing 
office — the first in town. Besides "job work" of vari- 
ous kinds, he published for a few months, "The Essex 
Cabinet," a weekly newspaper of medium size, neu- 
tral in politics and theology. Subsequently for some 
months, he printed a smaller paper, entitled "The Uni- 
versalist Cabinet." Besides the entire labor of editing, 
the larger part of the work of setting the type and of 
the press-work was done by his own hands. In the field 



340 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

of authorship, Mr. Prince's productions have been as 
follows : 

Rural Lays and Sketches, a small sized volume of versification, printed 
by the author for circulation among personal friends and acquaintances only; 
Lectures on the Bible, originally delivered in South Danvers, an 18 rao. vol- 
ume of 464 pages, published in 1846; A wreath for St. Crispin, being 
Sketches of eminent Shoemakers ; also, in pamphlet form, An Address deliv- 
ered at a Temperance Celebration of the anniversary of Washington's birth- 
day, February 22, 1844, in Annisquam Parish, Gloucester; and a Valedictory 
Discourse, delivered in the Universalist Church in South Danvers, in 1848. 

Mr. Prince entered political life in 1843, when at the 
age of twenty-two, he was elected to represent the town 
in the State Legislature. He was also a member of the 
House of Representatives in 1853, 1855 and 1860, and a 
member of the State Senate in 1858. In the course of 
these official terms, he served on the standing committees 
on towns, public buildings, parishes and religious societies, 
and fisheries. In 1860, he was commissioned justice of 
the peace by Gov. Banks. An article in the Hingham 
Journal of March 2, 1860, written by a man of another 
political party (from which source, indeed, many of the 
facts already mentioned have been derived), contains a 
sketch of him, of which the following is an extract : 

" ]Mr. Prince is generally and favorably known as a preacher and a politi- 
cian, having been several times in the Legislature, and during political cam- 
paigns one of the most zealous and efficient speakers that has taken the stump. 
He was originally a Democrat, though always a decided and zealous anti- 
slavery man. He joined the Liberty Party soon after its organization, at the 
time when it cast less than a dozen votes in his town in a poll of about 400, 
and continued a member of it until, in 1848, it was merged into the Free 
Soil Party, and he was merged with it. In 1854, he was active in the 
" Know Nothing " movement, which prepared the way for the ascendancy of 
the Republican party. At the session of the Legislature in 1855, he was 
assiduous by voice, personal effort and tactics, in securing the elevation of Gen. 
Wilson, to the United States Senatorship. Mr. Prince is a man of quick, 
keen perception, takes a broad view of men and questions, and is ever in- 
domitable and unwearied in defending what he regards as the right. He 
takes an active part in debate, speaks with energy and point, and is often im- 
passioned in his manner. Among his colleagues he is noted for his wit and 
humor as well as for his oratory. Of the specimens of both, which might be 
mentioned, the following are conspicuous." # * * # 



1820—1868.] SPEECH OF MR. PRINCE. 341 

" Tn 1855, Mr. Prince, being a member of the House, spoke thus on the ques- 
tion of adopting an amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting any person to vote, 
or hold office, unless he was born within the jurisdiction of the United States. 

'■'None hut Americans should rule America is the motto of the party now 
in power in this State ; and this has been many times and emphatically reit- 
erated here during this discussion. I accept it as expressive of sound doc- 
trine. But what is it to be an 'American,' in the sense of a qualification or 
fitness to rule ? Is it merely to be born on the soil, designated by the geo- 
graphical name of America, and so narrowed down in interpretation as to 
signify just what is now included, neither more nor less, within the United 
States of America? I know some persons born in Massachusetts, who are 
far from being American in feeling and in character, if by American you 
mean anything akin to sympathy for freedom, justice, republicanism, or faith 
in human improvement. Some natives of our own State, are ingrained aris- 
tocrats, downright monarchists, to all intents and purposes, — having little 
sympathy for mankind, and little trust in the capacity of the people for self- 
government. I would not vote for such Americans to legislate or administer, 
either in our Commonwealth or anywhere else. By an American I mean 
one who is such in character — one who is American or republican in princi- 
ple, feeling, sympathy, and impulse. A man's birthplace cannot determine 
anything in this respect. * * # * * 

"Mr. Speaker: Does the gentleman intend to intimate, that I am not an 
original, genuine native American ? I am half disposed Sir, to branch forth 
in a regular, spread-eagle. Bunker Hill, Fourth-of-July speech, full of star- 
spangled banner allusions! /not a true native! Why, sir, I was born on 
American soil, (at least so they tell me,) and so were my father, grandfather, 
and great-grandfather before me. Moreover, I sprang from Revolutionary 
stock. I am the grandson, nothing shorter, of a man who served as a cap- 
tain all through the eight years of the Revolutionary war — who was at 
Bunker Hill in the thickest of the fight — who ran across Charlestown Neck, 
following the lead of Ijeneral Putnam, while a British frigate in the river was 
sweeping the Neck with cannon balls, and who while running, accidentally 
dislocated his ankle, and sitting down immediately slipped the bone back into 
the socket, and then resumed his flight, hearing distinctly all the while the 
whizzing of the balls through the air! He shared the deprivations and suffer- 
ings of the army during the hard winter of 1777. The muster roll of his 
company, the paper yellow with age, may be seen in this very building, in 
the Secretary's office, /not a genuine, true-blue, original, thorough-going, 
out-and-out native American! The idea is preposterous, Mr, Speaker! " 

After leaving the Legislature, Mr. Prince was employed 
a year in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, 
and then a year in the Custom House at Salem. In May, 
1862, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury De- 



342 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

partment at "Washington, D. C, and he has since resided 
in that city. November 7, 1841, he was married to Miss 
Mary Parker, daughter of Capt. Parker Burnham. Of 
three children now living, two daughters are married and 
reside in town, and a son is with his parents in Washington. 
1863. Died, on Sabbath evening the 18th of October, 
John Choate, Esq., aged seventy-four years and six months. 
The Essex Statesman of November 18th contained the 
following obituary : 

" Mr. Choate was so widely known in our community for his integrity and 
sterling value as a public man, as well as by the virtues which adorned his 
private life, that it would be unpardonable to allow him to pass away without 
some tribute to his memory. His entire life was spent in this, his native vil- 
lage ; and his departure, in the midst of his usefulness, after a sickness, rapid 
and violent, has produced a de^p sensation upon every mind. A newspaper 
sketch must of necessity be short, but a word may be said upon a few of the 
leading traits of his character, though, after all, it is life as a whole that we 
look at in making up our estimate of men. 

" In the private circle, Mr. Choate had the admiration of his family and 
friends for his social qualities. He was, of course, more open and accessible 
to immediate friends and associates, than to others, and who is not? But who 
ever had occasion for even a business interview with him, without feeling, at 
the close of it, that he had formed a valuable acquaintance? You always 
knew where to find him. What he said, he said ; and notwithstanding his 
premises were often laid down and his conclusions drawn, with almost light- 
ning quickness, yet he was rarely under the necessity of making a second de- 
cision upon the same subject. There, is, perhaps, no man who does not have 
occasion to change his opinion sometimes, but our departed friend saw truth 
so intuitively, that it may be said, as before, he rarely had occasion to alter 
an opinion once formed. The Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, late of Salem, after 
such an acquaintance as often springs up between counsel and client, is re- 
membered to have often spoken with admiration of Mr. John Choate, of Essex. 

" Mr. Choate was benevolent above many. This trait of character, however, 
did not expend itself by throwing down a shilling and then forgetting it ; but 
it led him to give employment to people in humble circumstances. Even here, 
however, he would not squander his sympathies upon unworthy objects, but 
they were always judiciously bestowed. His most agreeable manner on such 
occasions was always such that no one ever felt himself degraded by receiv- 
ing anytliing from him. Even when he was laying you under the deepest 
obligations, the manner was so alleviating, that the objects of his favors would 
go away with a smile, feeling that the giver was almost as much indebted to 
them for receiving, as they were to him for giving 



1820—1868.] MR. JOHN CHOATE. 343 

" Mr. Choate, in bis more public capacity, will long be remembered for his 
devotion to the interests of the town. He was for many years Chairman of 
the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and as such, contributed largely to the 
public interest. In a day when paupers are so easily and so often sent from 
town to town for trifling causes, there is frequently need of such an officer as 
a standing Solicitor to examine cases legally, and few laws are more difficult 
to be administered than pauper laws. Mr. Choate consulted the decisions of 
the Supreme Court upon these matters with all the assiduity of a student of law, 
and frequently with quite as much success. While he held the office of over- 
seer, the number of paupers was somewhat, and most justly, reduced, and it is 
believed to have been largely owing to the almost gratuitous labors of himself. 

" And as Mr. Choate sought and promoted the interests of the town, so 
he was equally devoted to that of the Parish and Society where he worshiped. 
His views of religion were those usually denominated orthodox, and he is 
believed to have derived the strongest consolation from the faith he professed 
for more than thirty years. He once remarked to the writer of this sketch, 
that, as he sometimes stood and looked upon the broad sheet of water adjoin- 
ing the islands which constituted his farm, in some calm morning when the 
whole surface was like a mirror, it gave him, as he thought, a good idea of 
the full ocean of God's love, in which the soul of the Christian would lave 
itself after the winds and storms of life were over. We believe he is now 
enjoying the full fruition of that vision which then presented itself to his mind. 

" Mr. Choate was a man of great originality of character. No justice ean 
be done to this element in this brief space. Indeed originality did not seem 
to be an element of his mind, but was rather the mind itself. While his 
views on ordinary subjects, would to some extent, be modified of necessity, 
by those of other men, yet they were often strikingly peculiar. He seemed 
many times to take a kind of poet's view of men and things, and then ex- 
press himself in corresponding language — language which, though highly fiof- 
urative, was, nevertheless, perfectly natural as well as striking. His peculiar 
style of expression upon many subjects will long be remembered, as it made 
him to be greatly admired. If his early inclinations had led him to prepare 
for professional life, it is believed he would have stood without a rival ; for, 
although not much given to public speaking, even in town affairs, yet the 
usual training he would have had, with the strong mind and affluent and 
metaphorical language which was so natural to him, would have qualified him 
to shine at the Bar. The lines of Gray are applicable in his case : 

" ' Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 
The dark, unfatliomed caves of ocean bear.' 

" Let no one, however, suppose that these elements of greatness led him to 
exercise any feeling of superiority over others ; for whoever else might be led 
to view him in the light we have attempted to describe, no suspicion of such 
a thing ever seemed to have entered his mind. He was the firm and consist- 
ent friend of the Temperance cause in the day when its friends Avere few, and 



344 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

remained so through life. In short, ho lived the supporter of good order, 
and died in hopes of a happy immortality, through the merits of a Redeemer. 
Four daughters and two sons remain to mourn his loss — a loss for which they 
have the sympathies of all who knew him." 

1864. June 21st. Hardy's Hall and the engine-house 
opposite, at the easterly end of the causeway, were des- 
troyed by fire. The next year a new engine-house was 
built, at a cost of $1,130. 

December 26th. The Sabbath-school of the Congrega- 
tional Church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its es- 
tablishment, by public exercises in the afternoon and eve- 
ning. The pastor presided, and an historical address was 
delivered by the superintendent. 

1865. The town statistics were as follows : 

Population, 1601. Number of persons of foreign birth, 82 ; of colored 
persons, 21 ; of persons over eighty years of age, 21 ; of deaf, dumb, blind 
or insane, 15 ; of paupers, 5 (three of them over eighty years of age) ; of 
legal voters, 442; of families, 434; of dwellings, 319; of schools, 9; of 
pupils between the ages of five and fifteen, 342. 

Value of real estate, $568,378; of personal estate, $318,168; total 
$886,546. Value of the town property, $8,000. Town debt $20,760.51, 
of which all but $1,535.91, was incurred during the War of the Rebellion 
Number of acres of land taxed, 7,917. Number of horses, 137 ; of oxen, 
118 ; of cows, 315. Amount of money raised by taxation, $13,688.31, viz: 
State tax, $4,700 ; county tax, 1,049.90 ; towards the payment of the town 
debt, 2,000 ; for schools, $2,000 ; for other town charges, $3,500 ; over- 
laying $396.50; highway tax of non-residents, $40.25; delinquent high- 
way tax, $1.66. 

V VESSEL BUILDING.* 

Mention was made on pages sixty and sixty-one of the 
location of the first public yard granted by the town in 
1668, for vessel-building and of the origin of this business. 
But it was not until the early part of the present century 
that it began to be one of any considerable importance. 
Even then it was confined almost entirely to the construc- 
tion of "standing-room," "pink-stern" boats of ten or 
twelve tons burthen. These had two masts, but no bow- 
sprit. They were decked over with the exception of a 

* Furnished by Caleb Cogswell, Esq. 



1820—1868.] VESSEL BUILDmG. 345 

space in the middle, where were two rooms across the boat 
nearly to the sides, for the crew to stand in while fishing. 
In rouorh weather these rooms were covered with hatches. 
The deck had no railing. The stern was sharp like the 
bow. The bicilding yards then were for the most part 
near the dwellings of the builders, in some instances not 
more than twenty feet from the front door. Some of the 
yards were more than a mile from the river. The vessels 
when completed were loaded on two pairs of wheels with 
string pieces, one on each side, to keep them steady and 
upright. When hauled to the launching place the wheels 
were run into the river until the vessel was " water-borne," 
and then she unloaded herself The largest vessel hauled 
and launched in this way was one of fifty-five tons, built 
by Charles Choate on the premises now owned and occu- 
pied by Jonathan Low. These yards were gradually given 
up as the demand for larger vessels increased ; and " boat- 
haulings" went out of vogue about the year. 1835. The 
last pinTc-stern vessel was one of thirty-five tons, built in 
1844 by Ebenezer Burnham. y 

T\\Q first square-stern vessel was built by the late Parker 
Burnham, Ist.''' The largest square-stern vessel before the 
last war with England was the brig Silkworm of two hundred 
and twenty tons, built in 1811 at Hardy's Point in the North 
District, by Cai^t. Parker Burnham.t As the fishing business 
in which the people had been largely engaged, decreased 
and was gradually given up — cod-fishing about the year 
1825, and mackerel-fishing about ten years later — vessel- 
building was entered into more extensively. The road to 
the Falls landing was opened in 1823 to furnish additional 

* Parker Burnham, 1st, was born in a house near Chebacco Pond, and lived there 
the most of his hfe, but was a member of the family of his son, David Burnham, in 
the Central District, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1856, when he liad 
reached the age of ninety-two. It is said that he was never under the care of a 
physician for a single day in liis life. Mr. Burnham was considered one of tlie best 
constructors and master carpenters of his day, and in later years was frequently con- 
sulted by builders who needed the benefit of his experience and skill. 

t Parker Burnham, 2d, (son of Enoch and nephew of Parker, 1st.) He made sev- 
eral voyages,' as master, in this brig, the first one to Lisbon. 
44 



346 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

facilities for the growing business, and for many years the 
work was carried on there. Vessels of a larger class also 
began to be more commonly built — barks, brigs and three- 
masted schooners — some of them of upwards of three hun- 
dred tons measurement. In 1828, forty vessels were built 
and for four years up to 1834, the average amount of ton- 
nage annually built was two thousand five hundred tons. 
The average price per ton then was $25. 

The prosperity of the business has greatly varied, but 
not a single year has passed in which at least one vessel 
has not been built. From November, 1851, to November, 
1852, sixty vessels, of seventy-five tons burthen on the 
average, were built — the largest number in one year. The 
average price per ton was $35 ; the number of workmen 
employed, about one hundred and fifty. The greatest 
number built in one year, hy one man, was thirteen, viz., 
by Andrew Story. In 1856-7, Aaron Burnham, 2d, built 
twenty-two vessels in twenty-two months. The shortest 
time in which a vessel has been entirely built, was 07ie 
month. It was the schooner " July," of fifty tons, built by 
Capt. Parker Burnham, in the month of July, 1837. The 
largest vessel ever built in town was the ship " Ann Maria" 
of five hundred and ten tons. It was constructed in 1842, 
at Clay Point, by a company of workmen, of which Ebe- 
nezer Burnham was the agent, and Jacob Burnham, 2d, 
the master-carpenter. The next in size, was a three-masted 
schooner of four hundred and seven tons, built by James 
& McKenzie on the " corporation " wharf, in 1855. For 
ten or twelve years past, the vessels have generally been 
of a larger class than formerly. In March, 1864, there 
were twelve on the stocks, the average measurement of 
which was one hundred and ten tons. 

The yards now used are ten in number, and are on or 
near the main road through the town from the Central to 
the East District. It is estimated that the amount of capi- 
tal employed in the business, for the last twenty years, has 
been from $150,000 to $200,000. 



1820—1868.] VESSEL BUILDINa. 347 

In the construction of these vessels, all kinds of oak 
timber are used. The stem and stern posts are usually of 
white oak. Rock maple is used for keels. Birch, maple 
and elm are also used in the frame. The top-timbers and 
the " out-board " plank are of white oak. The " in-board" 
plank is of the same material, of a cheaper quality. The 
deck-plank, masts and bowsprits are of white pine and 
the small spars of spruce. For the most part, the tim- 
ber used has been obtained in this State. Some of it has 
come from Maine and New Hampshire. For several years 
before the late war, much of the white oak planking was 
brought from the Southern States. The masts and small 
spars are obtained chiefly in New Hampshire. Sticks for 
bowsprits, and trees suitable for deck-plank, are still found 
to some extent in our own woodlands. Half a century ago, 
rigging for vessels was made in town by Capt. Nathaniel 
Burnham and Mr. Samuel Hardy. Anchors also were 
made here by our blacksmiths. But for many years past, 
rigging, sails and anchors have been procured and brought 
here by the purchasers of the vessels. 

The two most active and prominent hidlders for forty 
years from the close of the war with England in 1815 
have been Mr. A.bel Story and the late Mr. Adam Boyd. 
Mr. Boyd built, in all, about two hundred vessels — a 
larger number than any other man. Other builders from 
1816-20 to 1840 have been as follows : 

John Boyd, Benjamin Burnham, 2d, Eli F. Burnham, Gilman M. Burnham, 
Issacher Burnham, John S. Burnham, Michael Burnham, Moses Burnham, 3d, 
Nathan Burnham, Nathan Burnham, 3d, Noah Burnham, Parker Burnham, 2d, 
Samuel Burnham, Zaccheus Burnham, Charles Choate, Dudley Choate, John 
Choate, Joseph Choate, John Dexter, John Hardy, Thomas Hardy, Enoch Low, 
Joshua Low, Charles Koberts, David Story, Epes Story, Ephraim Story, 2d, 
Jacob Story, Jonathan Story, 3d, Michael Story, 2d, Perkins Story. 

Builders from 1838-40 to the present time and still en- 
gaged in the business (with the exception of Parkhurst 
& Courtney) are as follows : 

Aaron Burnham, 2d, Ebenezer Burnham, Jeremiah Btirnham, Luke Burn- 
ham,01iver Burnham, Willard B. and Daniel Burnham,James& McKenzie,Job 
Story, Joseph Story and Brothers, Benjamin Courtney, Charles B. Parkhurst, 



348 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

EMIGRANTS FEOM ESSEX. 

The many and valuable contributions which this town 
has made to the population of other places from time to 
time, particularly during the last century, should not be 
forgotten or overlooked in its published annals. The sons 
and daughters of old Chebacco and their descendants are 
scattered throughout New England and in many of the 
Middle and Western States. Several towns have been in 
part, settled by them. Among these is Dunbarion, N. H., 
the centennial celebration of whose settlement occurred 
September loth of this year. On that occasion, Rev. A. 
W. Burnham, D. D., of Rindge, N. H., delivered an address 
commemorative of the early inhabitants, some extracts 
from which, with other facts furnished by him, are as 
follows : 

" The Storys and Burnhams came from Ipswich, Mass., Chebacco parish, 
the hive of these names, and were trained under the ministry of Eev. John 
Cleaveland, one of the " new lights " and able preachers of his day, a dis- 
ciple of Whitefield. They emigrated from Chebacco about 1765-70, and 
settled in a cluster in one neighborhood in the beautiful southern section of 
this town. They were all respectable and useful citizens, and have left good 
families. 

" The Burnhams were Asa, Nathan and Thomas, who were brothers, and 
Abraham, John, and Samuel cousin to John. Samuel Burnham was the 
son of Samuel, and was born in Chebacco, October 5, 1744. He married 
Mary Perkins. They had fifteen children, all but two of whom lived to ma- 
ture years. At first, after their settlement in Dunbarton, they with two chil- 
dren were wont to ride one horse seven miles to meeting on the Sabbath ; 
and were obliged to send their children two miles on foot through the woods 
to school. Of their seven sons, four were educated at Dartmouth College. 
These were ^StmuiA, fitted for college on the plow-heam, graduated in 1795, 
the first college graduate from- the town, a teacher, and the first principal of 
Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N. H., who died in 1834, aged 67 ; Rev. Abra- 
ham, D. D., graduated in 1804, pastor of the Congregational Church, Pem- 
broke, N. H., forty-two years, died in 1852, aged 77 ; John, graduated in 
1807, a lawyer, a man of uncommon energy and an accomplished scholar, 
died in 1826, aged 45; and Rev. Amos Wood Burnham, D. D., born Au- 
gust 1, 1791, graduated in 1815 and at Andover Theological Seminary in 
1818, the first principal of Pembroke Academy, N. H., pastor of the Con- 
gregational Church in Rindge, N. H., from November 14, 1821, to November 



1820—1^68.] DAVID STOKY, ESQ. 349 

14, 1867, forty-six years, and then dismissed at his own request. Of the 
forty college graduates from this town of less than a thousand inhabitants, 
one-half are descendants of Samuel Burnham. 

" The wives of the brothers David and Daniel Story who emigrated to 
Dunbarton at the same time, were also Burnhams, sisters of Abraham. Da- 
vid Story, Esq., was a son of Stephen and grandson of Jacob Story. He 
was first cousin to Jacob (father of Mr. Abel Story) , and to Jonathan (father 
of Esq. Jonathan Story). Of a sound and well-balanced mind, looking well 
to the interests of the town and acting always according to his convictions of 
duty, he was a leader in all public affairs through life. He was seventeen 
times moderator in town-meeting, town clerk eleven years, selectman six 
years, representative to the Legislature six years, and one of the two justices 
of the peace for a long period. Kev. Dr. Harris of this town (Dunbarton), 
pronounced him among the best citizens, and the best magistrate within his 
knowledge. Like Samuel Burnham, he was a staunch old-fashioned Fed- 
eralist. He was a man of rather impressive presence. As the custom then 
was, we boys made our bows to every passer by, whether in the road or 
around the school-house. In this matter we were very exact when Esq. Story 
passed, on his stately horse, with whip in hand in perpendicular position; 
and we felt honored by his invariable response, ' brave boys — brave scholars.' 
He had three sons, David, Warren and Abraham Burnham Story, Esq., (who 
graduated at Brown University in 1799,) and five daughters." 

Somewhat later, several Chebacco people migrated to 
Londonderry, in the same State, of whom the following 
statement is made in the history of that town, pubHshed 
in 1851: 

" About 1785-90 the town received a valuable accession of settlers from 
Ipswich, Mass. They were of the true Puritan race and retained all those 
excellences of character, that distinguished the pilgrim band which settled 
that ancient town. They had been trained up under the ministry of Rev. 
Messrs. Rogers, Cleaveland, Frisbie and Dana, men distinguished for learn- 
ing and piety. Many of them became distinguished not only as intelligent 
and useful citizens, but as efficient members of the church, and their descend- 
ants are among the most valuable inhabitants of the town." 

Of the twelve emigrants mentioned by name in that 
history, seven were natives of Chebacco : John Burnham, 
Aaron Choate, James Choate, William Choate, Joseph 
Cogswell, Benjamin Procter and Joseph Procter. 

John Burnham was a brother of the Samuel who set- 
tled in Dunbarton, and was born in Chebacco, December 



350 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Ghap. 6. 

10, 1749. The following account of his services in the 
Revolutionary war is derived from his own statement : * 

Soon after the battle of Lexington, lie was appointed first lieutenant in a 
company raised in Gloucester, marched to Cambridge the last of May and 
was in the battle of Bunker's Hill. His company reached the fort just as 
the action began, and fought bravely to the last. In 177G, he was in the 
battles of Long Island and of Trenton. January 1, 1777, Lieut. Col. Brooks 
.appointed him captain, and gave him recruiting orders. "Next morning, 
having traveled about eight miles, heard firing and supposing the armies had 
come together, returned and went out to the advance party. Fought on a 
retreat till we came into Trenton. The next night we marched to Princeton, 
and tooh the enemy there. Then I went to Gloucester, and raised a company. 
In the Spring, was ordered to the Northern army, where Col, Brooks ap- 
pointed me captain of the Light Infantry company in his regiment, the Eighth 
Massachusetts. Was in all the actions until the surrender of Burgoyne, in- 
cluding the storming of the works at Saratoga." 

The next winter we find Capt. Burnham, in V/ashington's army at Valley 
Forge ; and in the following campaign in the engagement at Monmouth, and 
in the storming of Stony Point, in which daring and successful assault, he 
was the second in command in his regiment. In the campaign of 1780, he 
served first under Lafayette, and then under Gen. Greene. In the siege of 
Yorktown, "I had the honor to be in a party under Col. Alexander Ham- 
ilton, which stormed one of the two batteries, which were first taken from the 
British." Early in 1782, his regiment was quartered near the Hudson River. 
On one occasion while there, it was paraded for inspection by Baron Steuben, 
the Inspector General. After the other formalities of the inspection, "he 
told me to order my company to 'search arms.' At the word, the men 
opened pans, drew ramrods, and letting them down with a little force, they 
rebounded very well. The Baron lifted up both hands, and exclaimed, 
' Mine Gott ! It is all silver,' He then said to the officers with him, ' Come 
here and help me admire this companie.' Next, turning to me, he said, 
* You need not show me your books. I will not inspect your companie. I 
will admire it.'" The general orders, of the day following a general review 
of the army, soon after, contained this high compliment. " The commander- 
in-chief, (Washington) did not think he ever saw a company under arms, 
make a more soldier-like and military appearance than did the Light In- 
fantry company of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment." His Colonel 
(Brooks, afterwards Governor of Massachusetts) subsequently said, " I knew 
Capt. Burnham well. He was one of the best disciplinarians and most gal- 

*The year before his death, being then totally blind but with mental faculties 
unimpaired, he dictated a narrative of his experiences in the war, the whole of 
which is of thrilling interest, and which was published in the Farmers' Monthly 
Visitor, Manchester, N. H., in 1852. 



1820—1868.] MA J. JOHN BURNHAM. 351 

lant officers of the Revolution." Gen. and Gov. Pierce, (father of ex-Pres- 
iclent Pierce,) also said, " Capt. John Burnhara was a most excellent disci- 
plinarian. He was not second to any man in the army of hia rank. Duty, 
with him, superseded every other consideration. I was in the Eighth Regi- 
ment with him about six years, and a witness to his indefatigable services." 
On the 9th of January, 1783, " after having commanded this beautiful com- 
panie six years, and been with them in every action, I was commissioned 
Major." January 1, 1784, he was discharged, when the last regiments 
were disbanded ; leaving behind him a record of service for his country, of 
which his family and his native Chebacco may well be proud. 

After the close of the war, Maj. Burnhani married Abby 
Collins of Gloucester, and for a time lived on the same 
homestead as his ancestor, Dea. John Burnham, the first 
settler. Towards the close of the last century he removed 
to Deny. In 1798, he was dismissed from the Chebacco 
church to the church then about to be formed in that place, 
and in 1810 was chosen deacon of it. He died June 8, 
1843, aged 94. His children were six in number, Samuel, 
John, George, and three daughters, one of whom, Mrs. 
Abigail, wife of Jonathan Ireland, Esq., of Dunbarton, is 
still living, Maj. Burnham is remembered in Derry, as a 
robust, soldierly-looking man ; and by those most compe- 
tent to judge, was very highly esteemed as a man of well- 
balanced and vigorous mind, unflinching integrity and 
decision, of unblemished moral character and a stern pa- 
triot. He has left a precious memory in the town of his 
adoption. 

Of the other emigrants to Derry, the following facts 
have been collected : 

James Choate, who served under Maj. Burnham, was a son of Humphrey 
Choate. After the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, when Washing- 
ton's army was to efifect a retreat by water, under cover of night, from close 
proximity to a victorious enemy, he was one of those who were " detailed 
for boat service, being so much of a sea-hoy," and aided in rowing the troops 
across from Brooklyn to New York. Of the scenes of that night, (August 29,) 
he was wont to give his children vivid descriptions in after years, as he would 
also of the execution of Andre, which he witnessed. Mr. Choate married 
a Miss Perkins of Chebacco, and removed to Derry in February, 17 8G. He 
was selectman seven years, and filled other important offices. Two of his 



352 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

sons, Nehemiali and Humpbrey, are still living. WilUam Choate was a 
second cousin of James, and married bis sister. He was several times rep- 
resentative to the Legislature, and was often moderator of town meetings and 
selectman. His son William, still living, was for nearly a quarter of a cen- 
tury moderator of town meetings, treasurer of Pinkerton Academy, and in 
all town affairs a very active citizen. Aaron Choate was a first cousin of 
James, and they married sisters. He was also a soldier of the Revolution. 
He went to Derry a little later than James, and like him was prominent in 
civil affairs. 

Among the emigrants from Chebacco to various other parts of the country, 
who have not been already mentioned in this history, was Jonathan Burnham, 
a son of Jonathan Jr., and Elizabeth Procter Burnham, and a first cousin of 
the late Capt. Nathaniel Burnham. He was born in 1738. He removed to 
Eye, N. H., and entered the Revolutionary army from that town. During the 
war he rose to the rank of Colonel; and through life was "a man much re- 
spected and of much influence." He died in Salisbury, Mass., March 17, 1823. 

THE CLAM BUSINESS. 

For the last twenty j^ears about fifty men and boys have 
been employed chiefly m the Spring and Fall, in digging 
clams for fishing-bait. For this purpose the clam-flats in 
each town, are, by law, free to all its residents, and to no 
others. Five bushels of clams in the shell, it is usually 
reckoned, make one bushel of " meats ;" about two and a 
half bushels of the latter are put into each barrel, and this 
quantity an able-bodied man can dig in three tides. One 
bushel of dry salt is used for each barrel. During this 
period of twenty years, about two thousand barrels of 
clams have been dug yearly, on the average and sold at 
an average price of six dollars per barrel. Deducting for 
the cost of the barrel $1.00, and of the salt for it $0.75, 
the sum of $4.25 per barrel or $8,500 per year has been 
earned in this business. The bait is marketed chiefly in 
Gloucester. 

1866. August 31st, died Capt. Winthrop Low. The 
following sketch of his life and character appeared not 
long after in the Salem Register : 

" Notwithstanding the lapse of time since the decease of Capt. Low, the 
writer of this sketch is unwilling that his memory should pass quite away, 
without one small effort to prevent it. Nearly the whole of his fourscore 



1820—1868.] CAPTAIN WINTHROP LOW. - 353 

years having been passed in his native village, and his habits having been so 
eminently social, he was a man whom everybody knew, and with more truth- 
fulness than perhaps is common, it may be said, his loss is one which many 
will regret. 

" In early life Mr. Low was for a time a student at Atkinson Academy, 
and subsequently, an instructor in the common school. The retirement and 
occupations of his father's farm, however, were more congenial with his feelings, 
ever taking time, however, to inform himself fully on matters of public inter- 
est. He was a constant reader even in his youth, of the ablest Boston papers, 
selecting them with the greatest care. His reading subsequently, however, 
was by no means confined to the issues of the newspaper press ; this, the 
monthlies upon his table and the. substantial volumes in his library, abun- 
dantly show. In a knowledge of the public finances, both of the State and 
the nation, it is believed that few were his superiors, and in relation to 
the theory of government, few it is believed had studied it more assiduously 
than he. 

".The social character of our friend, before referred to, led him to enjoy 
the discussion of such subjects as from time to time agitated the public mind, 
whether relating to political, moral or educational interests. He was among 
the firmest friends of Common Schools, acting at times upon the town school 
committee, and at other times visiting them unofficially. It was about the year 
1837, when visiting at Claxton and Wightman's, makers of philosophical in- 
struments, in company with the writer, that Capt. Low purchased from his 
own ample funds, a fine case of valuable instruments, which he presented to 
the Central School in Esses, thus supplying a great necessity and affording 
facilities for advanced scholars, altogether unknown in the town before. 

" One of the noblest chapters in the life of our friend, is that which re- 
lates to the stand taken by him in the early days of the temperance reform. 
It was near the commencement of Mr. Goodell's labors, that he presented the 
subject in Essex, and it may be said too, it was a time when it cost some- 
thing to raise the ' temperance flag. When volunteers were called for by 
Mr. Goodell, at the close of his address, the first man to rise was Capt. 
Winthrop Low, followed by six more only, at that time. He never re- 
ceded from the ground then taken, either in theory or practice, to the last 
hour of his life, except to make the rule more stringent and comprehensive. 

"Capt. Low was a consistent, liberal, supporter of the institutions of re- 
ligion, according to what is usually called the orthodox faith. Ministers of 
the gospel were welcome at his house ; indeed for several years last past, his 
doors were opened to the weekly prayer meeting in its turn. 

" His mind was well stored with Bible truth, having always been as wake- 
ful a hearer, as he was careful a reader. His power of attention was so great, 
even in his childhood, that he could recollect particular expressions in the 
prayers of Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, uttered sixty years before, and repeat them 
as he did to a grandson of Mr. C, but a short time before he died. In cul- 
45 



354 HISTOET OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

tiyating this power of attention, our departed friend was certainly an example 
worthy of imitation by all young people. 

"I have spoken of Capt. L's fondness for discussion; but it should not 
be forgotten or misunderstood, that although he was often earnest and even 
ardent, it by no means follows that he was passionate. A tendency in this 
direction is somewhat natural to man, perhaps, and it is not improbable that 
even he may have found it needful to guard against it. As bearing upon 
this point, and at the same time expressing a desire paramount in importance 
to all others, I present the following slip found, amongst his papers, and be- 
lieve it will be regarded by all his friends, now that he is gone, as of inex- 
pressible value : 

'"1818, June 21. I hereby promise through God's assistance, to live in peace 
with all men. May He be pleased to give me that peace of mind and that hope of 
a glorious immortality, which is rather to be chosen above all the riches and honors 
that can be conferred upon me by my fellow-men. Winthkop Low.' 

*' Mention has already been made of Mr. Low's knowledge of the Bible. 
He usually read withovtt a commentary, not that he undervalued such aids, 
having had Scott at least always at hand ; but he appeared to prefer the 
language of the Bible itself. And it was remarked by his watchers and 
others, in his last illness, that his quotations of scripture were given with 
verbal accuracy. 

" As Capt. Low strongly felt for, and sympathized with the sick and sor- 
rowful, so he in turn received the sympathies and kind offices of his family 
and friends in his last sickness with deep gratitude. But he is gone ; and 
though the. places that once knew him will know him no more, yet there are few 
who knew him that will soon forget the kind and benevolent heart of Capt. 
Winthrop Low. He died at the good old age of 81 years, much respected 
and lamented." 

FAMILY RELICS. 

In the possession of Capt. Low's family is a cane with a head of bone, 
encircled by a broad band of silver where it is joined to the cane, which was 
brought from England. On it is this inscription, " Owned in ye Family, 
Eng'' about 1573: D. L., U. America, March 14, 1803." But the most 
highly prized memorial of antiquity owned by Capt. Low was a copy of the 
Scriptures printed in 1579, pp. 554, quarto, brought to this country by Capt. 
John Low and handed down in the family from father to son as an heir-loom. 
It is, therefore, nearly three hundred years of age, and is undoubtedly the 
oldest bible in town. " It is what is called the Geneva edition, and was trans- 
lated by Miles Coverdale, one of the earliest of the English reformers, Wil- 
liam Whittingham, and other eminent Hebrew scholars. They were more 
than two years in completing the version, and they very closely adhere to the 
original tongues. The 23d Psalm commences thus : 

" ' 1. The Lord is my Shepeheard, I shal not want. 2. He maketh me to rest in 
greene pasture, & leadeth me by the stil waters.' 



1820—1868.] THE GEEAT BRIDGE. . 355 

" The title-page and several leaves at the beginning are missing, but at the 
close of the Gospels the printer has given his name and the date of publica- 
tion, of which the following is a fac simile : 

Imprinted at Lon- 

don by Chriftopher Barker, 

Printer to the Qiieenes mqft 

excellent Maieftie dwelling 

in Paternofter Rowe, 

at the figne of the 

Tygres head 

Anno 1579. 

" Besides the Scriptures, the book contains the celebrated version of the 
Psalms in meter, by Sternhold & Hopkins — a rare curiosity — under the fol- 
lowing title : The whole Booke of Psalmes collected into English metre by 
Thom. Stern, John Hopkins and others, conferred with the Ebrue, with apt 
notes to sing them withal. At London, Printed by John Daye, dwelling over 
Aldersgate. An. 1578. Gum Privilegio Regiae Majestatis. 

"This in part, was the music our forefathers sung. Among the tunes, which 
are in diamond notes, and consist of the air only, is the ' Old Hundredth,' 
written nearly as we now sing it. The version of the 18th Psalm which has 
greatly puzzled the wits of the critics and which one of them avowed that he 
would rather have made, than to have been Emperor of Brazil, has the two 
following stanzas which are still retained in some of our hymnals : 

'The Lord descended from above, 

and bowed the heavens hye, 

And underneath his feete he cast 

the darkness of the sky ; 
On cherubes & on cherubins 
full royally he rode, 
• * And on the winges of all the windes 

came flying all abroade.' 

"The volume is also enriched with various comments, tables, indices, etc., 
which attest the skill and laudable painstaking of the learned translators. 
It has, also, a valuable chronological record under the following quaint title : 

" ' A perfite supputation of the yeeres and times from the creation of the 
world vnto this present yecre of our Lord God 1578.' " 

On the blank leaves of the book are written the following names : " Susana 
Low her Book 1677, May 19;" "Thomas Low his Book" (apparently 
written about the same time) ; " Samuel Low," and "John Low." 

THE GEEAT BRIDGE. 

The third " great bridge " on the present site was built 
by Mr. Uriah G. Spofford. The first one, which had no 
draw, was built in 1811 by order of the Court of Sessions 



356 • HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 6. 

by Moody Spofford, Esq., of Georgetown. Up to that time 
the bridge and the course of the highway had been north- 
east of the space now occupied by the mills. ' In 1823 a 
second bridge with a draw twenty-four feet wide, was built 
by Jonathan Story, Esq. In 1842, all above the piers of 
this bridge was built anew by Mr. John Choate. 

In re-building this year (1866), the abutments remained the same. On the 
old mud-sills which were two feet four- inches below low water-mark, a new 
foundation consisting of ten sticks of timber, six of them twenty-two feet 
long, fourteen inches wide and ten inches thick, was laid across the river, and 
bolted to the old timbers. Four sills each thirty-five feet in length, twelve 
inches thick and sixteen inches wide, were placed on this new foundation and 
secured by bolts, the vacancies between the timbers filled with stone and 
gravel, and the whole. ballasted with stone. 

The frame of the bridge consists of four piers, each having three posts, 
two of which are ten inches by twelve, and the third ten inches by ten, a cap 
twelve inches by fourteen, and one tier of girts ten inches by ten. The gird- 
ers from pier to pier are also ten inches by ten, and there are seventy-two 
braces in all, each four inches by six. Every part of the frame is of oak, 
and the timbers are pinned together by seasoned locust pins one and one- 
eighth inches in diameter. The covering timbers are of the best pine, seven 
inches by sixteen, except the draw-timbers which are nine inches by fourteen. 

The roadway is covered with four-inch spruce plank, and on the sides has 
a tight board fence. The draw is hoisted in the same manner as before. 
The length of the bridge between the abutments is seventy-two feet ; the 
roadway is fifteen feet above the foundation, and twenty-four feet in width, 
except the draw, which is twenty feet eight inches in width. The cost of the 
structure was $3,800. 

The chief improvement over the old bridge consists in 
a nearly level roadway, the rise being only four inches. 
The idea of this was first suggested by D. "W. Bartlett, 
Esq., and the application of it made by the builder. The 
draw hangings were also invented as well as constructed 
by Mr. Spofford, the peculiar features being a truss timber 
. attached to each draw-timber underneath, and another on 
the top of each outside draw-timber at the end where 
they meet. 

1867. October 12th, Richardson's Hall was dedicated. 
It is situated in the Central Village near the junction of 
the three roads to Ipswich, Gloucester and Hamilton, its 



1820—1868.] FALLS SCHOOL-HOUSE. 357 

dimensions are thirty-five by fifty feet, and the cost of the 
building was $5,000. 

December 5th occurred the dedication of a new school- 
house in the Falls District. This building is located upon 
the northerly side of the highway leading from Essex 
to Hamilton, and opposite the entrance to the road lead- 
ing to the " landing." It is thirty-one feet in width by 
forty-one feet in length, and two stories in hight ; was com- 
menced May 9, 1867, and finished November 25th. The 
builder was Mr. Procter P. Perkins. The cost of the land 
on which it was erected was $402.50 ; of the foundation, 
$360 ; of the building itself, $3,750 ; of the fencing and 
grading, the stoves and other furniture, the blinds and 
bell, such as to make the whole expenditure nearly $6,000. 
The two school-rooms contained in it are each thirty feet 
square, and together can conveniently accommodate one 
hundred and twenty scholars. The number of pupils in 
attendance in both departments on the opening of the 
building for school purposes, was one hundred and twelve. 
Capt. Francis Burnham presided at the meeting convened 
for the dedication of the house, assisted by Mr. Perkins 
Story and Capt. David Low as vice-presidents. The exer- 
cises were as follows : 

Introductory address by the President ; singing by a cboir consisting of 
Neheraiah Burnham Esq., Mr. Coeleb Burnham, Mrs. Lucy M. Burnham, 
Mrs. Mary F. Morris and Miss Susan E. Story ; Historical sketch by Mr. 
Nathaniel Burnham ; Singing ; Poem by Mr. Coeleb Burnham ; Singing ; 
Dedicatory address by Mr. Michael Burnham ; Reading of letters from Wil- 
liam W. Pendergast, Esq., of Hutchinson, Minn., Capt. Samuel Burnham 
and Hon. David Choate ; Dedicatory prayer by Rev. J. M. Bacon ; Singing 
of " America " by the audience. 

1868. Daniel W. Bartlett, Esq., was appointed post- 
master, July 1st, and the post office removed to Richard- 
son's building on Martin street. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE DOINGS OF THE TOWN WITH REFERENCE TO THE 
WAR OF THE REBELLION, 

WITH SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS, 

COLLECTED FROM THEM, EITHER VERBALLY OR IN 'VrRITING. 
BY HON, DAVID CHOATE. 

[Some account of the doings of the Town, and of the soldiers it has furnished, 
during tlie late Eebellion, will form an appropriate close to the foregoing History. 
And it may properly be premised, that in speaking or writing of passing or recent 
events, difficulties must obviously be encountered, entirely unknown and unfelt 
when dealing with the dead past. And in speaking of persons, reading, thinking 
persons, the difficulties referred to, are immeasurably augmented, for reasons too obvious 
to require explanation. The simple fact that one soldier may have but a small space 
assigned to him, while another, no more meritorious perhaps, may have pages as- 
signed to him, may sometimes call forth criticisms and perhaps denunciations. A little 
reflection, however, will show that, for nearly every sketch of those now living, the 
compiler, from the nature of the case, must be beholden to the soldier himself or 
his personal friends ; and fm-ther, that while many of our brave men kept no journal 
of events, others did keep them, and more or less full and copious according to their 
opportunities and fancies. Nothing, therefore, is to be inferred on the score of com- 
parative merit, from the amount of space allotted to different men. Of some, even 
the briefest descriptions have been di-awn out only after repeated solicitations, while 
others have furnished statements cheerfully and more fully than could be inserted. 

But the difficulties of arrangement have also been quite as insuperable. Like the 
author of the " Great Rebellion," we must say that " being compelled to write the 
sketches of the soldiers, just as the materials presented themselves, or could be 
found, all regard to arrangement was abandoned of necessity." Some substitute 
for this may be found in the Summary or Recapitulation forming an Index to this 
chapter ; but such have been the difficulties in this case, that the compiler can only 
hope that a generous indulgence will be conceded by every reader, and especially 
by the soldiers themselves, or their surviving friends.] 

THE PRESIDENT'S FIRST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. 

It was not until the 3d of May, 1861, that the Presi- 
dent issued his call for volunteers for three years or during 
the war. Massachusetts was requested to furnish three 
regiments of this number; and such was the patriotic 
ardor in the State, that Gov. Andrew urgently requested 
that he might be allowed to double that number. The 



1861—1865.] 



THE FIEST VOLUNTEEES. 



!59 



number of regiments was accordingly increased to seven. 
And on the 17th of June, 1861, ten more regiments having 
been offered by the State, were accepted by the general 
government, and they were all put into the field by the 
8th of October in the same year. Under the above men- 
tioned call, the following named persons, forty-eight in 
number, enlisted from Essex, viz. : 



Andrews, Cbarles E. 
Andrews, Cyrus 
Andrews, Mon. Misson 
Andrews, Prince A. 
Andrews, Reuben 
Andrews, Stephen P. 
Andrews, William A. 
Burnham, Harlan P. 
Burnham, John B, 
Burnham, IMark F. 
Burnham, R. W., Jr. 
Burnham, Rufus 
Burnham, William H. 
Burnham, William H. H. 
Burnham, Zenas 
Butman, Ancill K. 



Butman, John C. 
Claiborne, George C. 
Clifford, David E. 
Coose, William D. 
Crafts, John, Jr. 
Dodge, George 
Duggan, Daniel 
Hardy, George C. 
Haskell, James Frederic 
Haskell, William P. 
Hatch, Jason 
Hayden, William 
Howard, William S. 
Howes, Edwin A. 
Howes, Erastus 
Jones, Samuel Q. 



Lee, John E. 
Low, William B. 
Low, William E. 
Lufkia, Charles P. 
Lufkin, William 
Martyn, John L. 
Mclntire, Edward E. 
Mears, Henry C. 
Morse, Charles F. 
Morse, Thomas A. 
Ross, George 
Sargent, George H. 
Sargent, 0. H. P. 
Story, Aaron Herbert 
Swett, Simeon 
Wentworth, George S. 



TOWN ACTION. 

At a legal town meeting on the 17th of June, 1861, it 
was voted to pay the sum of $1.50 per week to the wife 
and each of the children, under sixteen years of age, of 
any inhabitant of the town who has been, or may here- 
after be, mustered into the military or naval service of 
the United States, and a like sum to any child, parent, 
brother or sister of such inhabitant, who, at the time of 
his enlistment, were dependent on him for sujoport. Also 
voted to appropriate $1,000 to carry this vote into effect. 

Another meeting of the town to aid the families of 
volunteers was held July 27, 1861, at which it was voted, 
— agreeably to a report made by 0. H. P. Sargent, U. G. 
Spofford, Oliver Burnham, D. W. Bartlett and Moses 
Knowlton, Jr., being a committee previously appointed 
for that purpose, — to pay to any single person dependent 



360 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

on the volunteer for support, two dollars per week ; for 
two persons, three dollars per week ; for three persons, 
four dollars per week ; for four persons, four dollars and 
fifty cents per week; for five persons, five dollars per week, 
and provided that in no case shall any family receive more 
than five dollars per week. And the votes passed at the 
meeting on the 17th of June, (above recorded) were' 
reconsidered. 

On the 1st of June, 1862, a company of cadets from 
Boston, and a company from Salem, were ordered to Fort 
Warren to do garrison duty for six months. Capt. Staten 
of the Salem company received orders to recruit his com- 
pany with volunteers, and the following named persons 
volunteered into his company from Essex, viz : 

Allen, Joseph G. Bartlett, Jacob Gilbert, John F. 

Andrews, Alburn Burnham, Alfred M. Howes, Webster 

Andrews, Ira, Jr. Burnham, Jesse Low, Edward 

Andrews, William H. Burnham, Otis Mclntire, William H. 

They were ordered to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor 
on the 30th of June, 1862, for six months. 

THE PRESIDENT'S NEXT CALL FOR THREE HUN- 
DRED THOUSAND MEN. 

On the 1st day of July, 1862, President Lincoln issued 
his next call for volunteers to form new regiments and to 
fill old ones. 

TOWN ACTION. 

A town meeting was held on the 21st of July, 1862, 
"to see what action the town would take to encourage 
enlistments ; " whereupon, it was voted that a bounty of 
$150 be paid to each man who should enlist under the 
President's call. The following persons enlisted and re- 
ceived the bounty of $150, viz. : 

Andrews, Horatio N. Burnham, David B. Burnham, Wilbur 

Andrews, Timothy, Jr. Burnham, George S. Channel, John C. 

Burnham, Albert F. Burnham, George W. Coy, Michael 

Burnham, Charles A. Burnham, James Horace Dodge, William G. 

!3urnham, Daniel Burnham, Osgood E. Guppy, George F. 



1861—1865. 



ENLISTMENTS. 



361 



Hart, John F. 
Haskell, Albert A. 
Hull, William H. 
Jones, John S. 
Lauder, Edward L. 



Mears, Rufus E. 
Mears, Samuel, Jr. 
Parsons, Jobn J. 
Poland, Jeremiah, Jr. 

Story, Asa 



Story, David L. 
Tucker, Joseph W. 
Varnum, John 
Wentworth, George S. 



THE PEESIDENT'S FIRST ORDER TO DRAFT THREE 
HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN. 

On the 4th of August, 1862, the President, by j^i'ocla- 
mation, ordered a draft of three hundred thousand militia 
to be immediately called into service. 

TOWN ACTION. 

. A meeting was held agreeably to legal notice, " to see 
what action the town would take to fill its quota." It was 
voted to pay a bounty of $200 to each man, the town's 
quota being thirty-two, and the following named persons 
enlisted, pursuant to the President's said call, and to the 
action of the town, viz. : 



Andrews, Israel F. 
Andrews, Lyman B. 
Burnham, Albert F. 
Burnham, George F., 2d 
Burnham, Horace 
Burnham, Ira F. 
Burnham, Lamont G. 
Burnham, Leonard 
Burnham, Lewis 
Callehan, Daniel 
Callehan, Maurice 



Chase, Lyman B. 
Crafts, Franklin 
Crafts, John, Jr. 
Crockett, Charles P. 
Duggah, Morty 
Hardy, Alphonso M. 
Hayden, Luther 
Howes, Charles 
Jackson, Andrew 
James, Washington W. 
Kelleher, John 



Kimball, James B. 
Low, Aaron 
Mahoney, Thomas 
Marston, Charles, Jr. 
McEachen, John 
Mears, Francis Gilbert 
Prest, Robert 
Procter, Charles W. 
Procter, Joseph, Jr. 
Piiggs, Solomon A. 



In order to a continuous history of the town in its con- 
nection with the Rebellion, it may be stated that in the 
case of this draft, the quota of the State was nineteen 
thousand, instead of fifteen thousand as before. Gov. 
Andrew consequently issued an additional order for 
twenty-six more men from this town. Upon ascertain- 
ing, however, that the State quota was filled, the Govern- 
or released the town from responding further. Previ- 
ously to the filling of the State quota, the town had taken 
action at a legal meeting for that purpose, and promptly 

4G 



362 



HISTOEY OF ESSEX. 



[Chap. 7. 



voted $200 eacli for the twenty-six men additional, mak- 
ing 1 5,2 00, and placed the same in the Governor's hands 
for the purpose of securing the extra enlistments above. 
On discovering the State quota to be full, as before stated, 
the money was refunded to the town. 

SECOND DRAFT OF THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND. 

This draft took place July 8, 1863, and the Essex quota 
was forty-seven ; being one hundred per cent, in addition 
to the town's true number of twenty-three 
persons were drafted, to wit : 



The following 



Adams, Moses - 
Andrews, Albert 
Andrews, Edward N. - 
Andrews, Elias C. 
Andrews, Ezra - 
Andrews, Frederic Sanborn 
Andrews, Rufus ■ - / 
Annable, Elisha B. 
Annable, John J. 
Burnham, Daniel 
Burnham, Franklin 
Burnham, Francis C. - 
Burnham, James Howe 
Burnham, Leander 
Burnham, Luke Roswell 
Burnham, Nathaniel - 
Burnham, Nehemiah - 
Burnham, William A. 
Bui'nham, Zenas 
Channel, John C. 
Choate, Francis, 
Choate, William C. - 
Cogswell, Charles Berry 
Cogswell, Daniel Webster 
Guppy, George F. 
Haskell, David L. 
Haskell, Francis P. - 
Haskell, Oliver S. - 
Haskell, Stephen 
James, John F. - 
Luf kin, Albert E. 



Hired substitute. 

Accepted, and sent to the war. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Joined heavy artillery, unattached. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Accepted, and sent to the war. 

Paid commutation. 

Exempted for physical disability. 

Accepted, and sent to the war. 

Exempted. 

Exempted for disability and hemoptysis. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Hired substitute. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Hired substitute. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. [physical disability. 

Accepted, but afterwards discharged for 

Exempted for physical disability. 

Exempted for physical disability. 

Exempted for physical disability. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Joined heavy artillery. 



1861—1865.] 



ENLISTMENTS. 



363 



Lufkin, Alfred - 
Lufkin, Sewall - 
McKenzie, Jacob 
Mears, Solomon P. 
Perkins, Gustavus S. 
Perkins, Leverett 
Procter, John N. 
Rearclon, Michael 
Story, Charles A. 
Story, Emri 
Story, Epes S. - 
Story, Hervey - 
Story, John C. - 
Story, Newton, 2d 
Story, Pierpont - 



Joined heavy artillery. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Was in the navy at the time of the draft. 

Exempted. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Exempted. 

Exempted for diseased eye. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Exempted. 

Hired substitute. 

Exempted. 



THIED DRAFT OF THREE HUNDRED. THOUSAND. 

The President, by his order of October 17, 1863, called 
for three hundred thousand men, and unless raised as vol- 
unteers by the 5th day of January, 1864, a draft was to- 
take place. The quota of Essex was twenty-three. The 
sum of §2,600 was raised by subscription. The following 
named persons enlisted, but received none of the town's 
bounty : 



Andrews, Rufus 
Andrews, Stephen P. 
Burnham, Abner 
Burnham, Robert W.f Jr. 



Chase, Lyman H. 
Duggan, Daniel 
Howes, Edwin A. 
Lufkin, Albert E. 



Lufkin, Alfred 
Poland, Jeremiah, Jr. 
Prest, Robert 
Swett, Simeon 



The following named persons enlisted from Essex, under 
the President's call, and received the citizen's bounty of 
$125 each: 

Burnham, Gonstantine Burnham, Mark F. Haskell, William 

Fields, Charles H. 

The following named men were hired by the citizens' 
committee raised for that purpose : 



Berry, John 
Brabbury, Jacob 
Butler, Thomas 
Cohre, Henry 



Gonstantine, William 
Crawley, John 
Hubljard, AVilliara R. 
McDonnell, John 



Murray, John 
Peaslcy, Joseph 
Sunbeig, John 
Travers, Charles 



364 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

And the following is a list of strangers hired by the 
town, twenty-seven in all, viz. : 

Anderson, Charles Cummings, Philip Power, James 

Ayres, James Dowley, Thomas Reed, Francis 

Bannan, Thomas A. Duflfy, George Robinson, John 

Beers, William Goss, James P. Smith, James 

Bennet, James Huntley, Loring Sullivan, John 

Brown, John Mackay, William Thomson, George 

Callehan, George H. Morris, Elisha C. Thomson, James 

Collins, Richard T. Morton, William F. Wenborne, Arthur J. 

Creighton, Samuel Murphy, Michael Williams, Thomas 

Under an order of the President for a draft issued May 
4, 1864, to fill the quotas of different States that had 
failed to furnish tlieir full number of men under previous 
calls, the number drafted from Essex was five, as follows, 
viz.: 

Andrews, Zeno P. - - - - - Hired substitute. 

Boyd, Charles .-.--. Hired substitute. 

Story, Charles 0. Paid commutation, $300. 

Story, William H. . . . . . Exempted. 

Smith, Willard Hired substitute. 

SKETCHES OF ESSEX SOLDIERS. 
'We now proceed to give a sketch of the Essex soldiers, 
officers and men. The apology for the length of the first 
article, if any such is needed, is, that the sketch may be 
said to apply to large numbers of the Forty-eighth, and 
although repeated attempts have been made to use the 
scissors, it has been found increasingly difficult to per- 
ceive where the work of retrenchment could most prop- 
erly be made. And for the extreme brevity of a portion 
of the sketches, as before intimated, our apology is the 
scantiness of the materials, which we deeply regret. 

CAPTAIN CHARLES HOWES. 

Capt. Charles Howes, was born at Chatham ; came to reside in Essex as 
a ship builder, in 1850 ; resides in a beautiful cottage built for himself in 
front of the Orthodox Church. The company (E), of which he was at first 
Lieutenant, and afterwards Captain, was raised in Salem and Essex, with a 
few exceptions. The first encampment was at the barracks in Wenham, and 



1861—1865.] CAPTAIN HOWES' SKETCH. 365 

lasted from the 15th of September until the 4th of December, 1862, when 
the regiment left for Readville. On the 27th of the same month the troops 
were ordered to New York, where they arrived on the 28th. From New 
York the regiment again embarked on the 2d of January, 1863, for Baton 
Rouge, where they arrived on the 4th of February, and encamped about 
one mile from the river, at Camp Banks. The regiment was brigaded with 
the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York, Forty-ninth Massachusetts, and 
the Twenty-first Maine, under command of Col. Chapin of the One Hundred 
and Sixteenth New York. The muskets were received soon after the arrival 
at the camp, and from that time the drilling became incessant. On Monday, 
March 9th, orders were received to be ready to march at a moment's notice. 
The large tents were struck, and the shelter tents pitched. These consist 
of two pieces of cotton cloth, each five feet square. Two of these are but- 
toned together, and form a tent under which two men can sleep. Each man 
carries one of these pieces, when on the march. On the night of Thursday, 
the 12th, at eight o'clock, orders were received to report next morning at 
the steamboat landing, at three o'clock, in light marching order, and with one 
day's rations and sixty rounds of ammunition. Although these orders beto- 
kened a busy and perhaps a bloody day, yet the activity and desire of the 
troops to be there and to meet -v^hatever might betide, is manifest from the 
fact that they were at the landing before the hour appointed, and immedi- 
ately embarked on board the " Sallie Robinson." Two other steamers took 
the Second Louisiana and two companies of cavalry, viz : McGree's and God- 
frey's, both Union troops. 

Essex may well be proud of this specimen of her soldiers, for when it was 
first understood by the heading of the boat up the river, that their destination 
was Port Hudson, a long, loud shout, almost enough to shake the Sallie 
Robinson, rang from stem to stem. After steaming up eight miles, they ar- 
rived where the convoy were waiting, consisting of the famous gunboat Essex, 
as Capt. H. well designates her ; the gunboat Albatross, the steam sloop-of- 
war, Hartford, also three mortar boats and one small armed steamer. When 
within five miles of Port Hudson, at a place called Springfield Landing, the 
troops disembarked. They took up their march at rigbt angles with the river, 
and were obliged to cross a swamp half a mile in extent, appropriately called 
the Devil's Swamp, the water being to their waists in several places. The 
march was continued some seven miles into the interior, where they struck 
the great road from Baton Rouge to Port Hudson, and proceeded on to Baton 
Rouge. This seems to have transpired on Friday, the 13th of March, and 
the object. Captain Howes states, was to reconnoitre the road to Port Hudson, 
"to ascertain if any preparations had been made by the rebels to check the 
advance of our troops in that direction. During the excursion, several shots 
were fired by the rebel cavalry, damaging nothing, however, except a few of 
the horses." This enterprise was considered one of the most daring exploits 
made in that department. With a force numbering but little over one thou- 
sand men, cut off, as they were, from all support the momont they left the 



366 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

« 
river, it was surprising, as the Captain well observed, that they met with no 
more resistance. The result was sufficient to establish the character and mil- 
itary prowess of the Forty-eighth. It was a march of twenty-four miles, and 
the first raid they had then undertaken. 

And no sooner were they arrived in camp, than they received orders to 
march again the next morning at four o'clock. So great, however, was the 
exhaustion that they were permitted to rest until eight o'clock, when they 
were detailed to guard the rear baggage train. They were ready on time, 
with full ranks, and took up their march over the same road as on the day 
before. Their first halt was at Montecino Bayou, a stream of water eight 
rods wide, crossing the Port Hudson road. Captain Howes was now in com- 
mand of four companies viz : Company E (his own) , Company I, one com- 
pany of the Massachusetts Forty-second, and one of the native Louisiana 
(colored). The two first named were detailed to guard the bridges, and the 
two latter to repair them. 

With these companies, Capt. H. established a line of pickets a mile in ex- 
tent around the bridges to guard against surprise, and the two companies 
above mentioned employed to repair the bridges, received orders from Capt. 
Howes where to form in case of an attack. At eight o'clock, Col. Clark, 
chief of Gen. Banks' staff, arrived in an ambulance, having been shot in the 
leg on the very road over which Capt- H. and his one thousand men had 
passed the day before. At the same time also, a message was received by 
Capt. H. from head-quarters, stating that there were from eight hundred to 
■fifteen hundred rebel cavalry on his flank, and that they would probably at- 
tempt to destroy the bridges before morning ; the orders were imperative that 
the bridges must be defended at all hazards. Capt. Howes then caused ropes 
to be stretched across the road from tree to tree, and had the' covering plank 
taken up from the centre of one of the bridges, so that it was impossible to 
cross it ; he also barricaded the other bridge (a pontoon) with carts, timber 
and other obstructions, so that the bridges might hav^ been easily defended 
against almost any force. Our men, (says Capt. H.) " slept upon theu' arms 
until ten o'clock, when they were alarmed by the sound of approaching cav- 
alry. They were at their posts in a moment," thus showing themselves ready 
for any emergency. The alarm proved groundless, as the approaching troops 
were found to be a body of Rhode Island cavalry, which had been ordered 
back to Baton Rouge. 

Just about this time, the bombardment of Port Hudson was commenced 
by our fleet. Notwithstanding the intervening fifteen miles,- the flashes of 
the guns could be seen and the reports heard. And as if to add to the sub- 
limity of the scene, the light of the ill-fated Mississippi steamer (Union), 
could be seen as she went down the river on fire. Her magazine exploded 
when nearly opposite our camp, with a crash which seemed to shake the earth 
to its center. Our troops returned from before Port Hudson on the next day. 
Eight companies of the Forty-eighth, before quite reaching their old camping 
ground, received orders to return and encamp near the bridges at Montecino 



1861—1865.] CHARACTER OF THE ESSEX SOLDIERS. 367 

Bayou, the stream before referred to, as crossing the Port Hudson road. 
Capt. Howes' company was detailed for picket duty on the Clinton road, run- 
ning parallel, as it does, to Port Hudson road and a half mile distant, a com- 
pany of the Twenty-first Maine being already there. These two companies 
relieved each other every four hours, thus giving a brief opportunity for 
sleep, which was taken under the piazza of a house near by. The company 
on duty, whichever it might be, was stationed in the forest. The night was 
one of the most rainy and disagreeable kind, and when it is recollected that 
the men were nearly exhausted, having been broken of their rest for the two 
previous nights, we begin to have some faint idea of the hardships of a sol- 
dier's life. After twenty-four hours of duty here, the company was relieved 
and returned to camp, where they learned that orders had been received re- 
quiring them to be ready to march at four o'clock next morning. " We were 
up at two A. M." says the gallant captain, and struck and packed our tents, 
and after waiting for marching orders until noon in vain, the tents were once 
more pitched and remained until Friday morning, when- the whole army was 
ordered back to Baton Bouge, where they arrived at three P. M. In these 
perils, a few of the Essex men were unable to participate on account of sick- 
ness. Solomon A. Biggs and Horace Burnham, had been removed to the 
Hospital at New Orleans, some days before, while Ira F. Burnham and 
Charles P. Crockett were in the hospital at Baton Bouge. Two others, viz., 
Luther Hayden and John Kelleher, had* been detailed for guard duty, and 
consequently did not go up the river on the occasion above described, but 
joined us the next day." 

The testimony of Capt. Howes to the courage and soldier -like qualities of 
our Essex men is of the most honorable kind. "I can say," he writes, 

" IN FAVOR OF THE EsSEX MEN, THAT NONE WERE MORE PROMPT AT THE CALL 
OF DUTY, NONE MORE OBEDIENT TO COMMANDS, NONE WHO MADE LESS COM- 
PLAINT DURING THE FATIGUING MARCH." 

To this it may be "added, that Gen. Banks issued an order in which he 
stated that the troops had performed everything he wished, and that his ob- 
ject had been accomplished — as by sending the troops up by land the rebels 
took their field artillery from the river, so that it was an easier matter for our 
fleet to run by, in order to cut off the supplies which the rebels were daily 
receiving by the way of Bed Biver. 

This object, thus stated, affords a key to this dangerous but patriotic en- 
terprise. It was a key however, which even the officers in command were 
not allowed to have at the time. It seems to have been what is usually called 
a feint, indispensable in war, but of the object, and even of thS perils of 
which at the time the troops knew almost nothing. 

It may not have been distinctly stated as it should be to give a full under- 
standing of the facts in the case, that on the 14th of March, 1863, Com. 
Farragut made an attempt with eight gun-boats and steamers, to pass the 
rebel batteries at Port Hudson. They started about eleven o'clock at night. 
The rebels, by some means, discovered the movement, and opened upon our 



368 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

ships. The Mississippi fi-igate being large, ran aground, and was abandoned 
and burned ; sixty-five of her crew having been killed, drowned, or taken 
prisoners. The Hartford and Albatross only succeeded in passing the fort, 
the remaining five having been repulsed. 

On the 27th of March, Capt. Howes remarks, that the drilhug of four 
hours each day, after their return to Baton Rouge, together with guard duty, 
left but a short time for rest, especially as they had no lieutenant on duty. 
In five days more, viz : on the 1st of April, he is suffering from an attack of 
fever; and is off duty, of course. On the 3d, we find him in the general 
hospital, one of the Essex soldiers, Albert F, Burnham being detailed to at- 
tend him as nurse. It was not until the 17th, that he was able to rejoin 
the regiment, which, by that time, had moved down near the hospital and 
was encamped upon a level, beautiful spot near the center of the city, con- 
sequently but a short distance from the Mississippi River. 

The lamented F. Gilbert Mears, also rejoined the regiment the same day, 
having been quite sick at the arsenal hospital. There was an alarm at mid- 
night, between the 17th and 18th (April,) in consequence of an order from 
Col. O'Brien, requiring Capt. Howes to be prepared to form his company at 
a moment's notice, as it was announced that seven hundred rebel cavalry, 
outside of our pickets, were expected to make a raid into the city during the 
night. The alarm, however, proved groundless, and instead of a fight, the 
paymaster's arrival on the 23d, filled or might have filled their mouths with 
laughter, and their tongues with singing, and nobody have thought the worse 
of them for it. 

Lieut. Sanders was detailed with twenty men on the morning of the 24th, 
for an expedition up the river to capture some cattle, which was in part a 
failure, as they obtained but four cows with a few horses and mules. 

Capt. Howes' journal of the 5th of May, has the following painful entry : 
" F. Gilbert Mears was taken sick quite suddenly yesterday, and was taken to 
the hospital. He appears to be failing fast. Visited Mr. Crockett at the 

arsenal hospital. He is very sick and cannot live long Wilkins 

James of Company D is quite sick in the hospital. 

May 7th. Mr. Crockett died suddenly yesterday, and we have buried 
him under arms to-day at the cemetery. Sergeant Mears is no worse, and 
the surgeon thinks he may recover ; " an expectation, which, alas ! was never 
to be realized, except to be again disappointed. On the 9th of April, we 
find Wilkins James "not so well," though Mr. Mears seemed somewhat 
improving. Four others came on the sick list the same day, viz : John Kell- 
eher, Morty Duggan, Aaron Low, and Leonard Burnham. It was also on 
this same 9th of May, that the mortar boats began bombarding Port Hudson. 
The reports could be heard distinctly. Capt. Howes' company made choice 
of John F. Ford of Salem for second lieutenant, in the room of Lieut. Lee, 
resigned. Lieut. Sanders was at the same time sick, and off" duty. Orders 
were received on the 12th of May, to cook two days' rations and be ready to 
march at half an hour's notice. On the 13th, one of the partially recovered 



1861—1865.] FIRST BATTLE OF COMPANY E. 369 

soldiers, Solomon A. Riggs, came up from the hospital at New Orleans, and 
joined the company, though unable to do duty. As an offset to this gratify- 
ing announcement, however, we learn that on the same day, the 13th of May, 
Wilkins James died, and was buried the day following. 

In obedience to orders received on the 18th inst., Capt. Howes took up 
the march for Port Hudson at half-past two o'clock, leaving twenty-four of 
his company behind, however, sick. " At dark they halted and encamped on 
Merritt's plantation, and near Dudley's brigade, which, however, had been 
there some days. The heat of the day, together with the dusty state of the 
roads, made the march one of great fatigue. As soon as the muskets could 
be stacked, the men threw themselves upon the ground and soon knew the 
blessings of sleep. Marching orders were received next day, (19th May,) 
at noon. A march of three miles on the Port Hudson road brought them to 
a plain on which the whole force was brought into line of battle. This was 
five miles from the Port Hudson entrenchments. Our batteries shelled the 
woods, says the gallant captain, but we could not tempt the rebels out to a 
fair stand-up-fight. Three prisoners were brought in on the 20th inst., who 
reported that there were seven thousand troops inside the entr^chments. 
Capt. H. was detailed as officer of the. picket guard. Early on the morning 
of the 21st, he received orders to report to the regiment with the picket 
guard. The troops were then falling in for the march, and at eight o'clock 
it was commenced. After a march of about four miles, the rebel artillery 
opened on our advance. Our artillery was now sent to the front and forced 
the rebels back, though slowly. Our advance was hotly contested. At 
three o'clock, our regiment was ordered to the front to support a battery then 
in position. Companies B, D and E, of the right wing, under command of 
Lieut. Col. O'Brien, were stationed in the woods on the right of the road, 
and about fifty yards in rear of the battery. The left wing were stationed on 
the left of the road. Capt. Howes proceeds to say, " the rebels opened a ter- 
rific fire on our battery, and we were obliged to lie down to escape the terrible 
shower of shot and shell that was flying about us. One of our company, 
Benjamin Crowell of Lynnfield, was killed by a cannon ball. After lying in 
this position nearly an hour, the rebel infantry charged on the left wing of 
our regiment, and compelled them to fall back. The right wing sprang to 
their feet and were in line in a moment. The rebels came up to a fence on 
the road, and poured a volley of musketry into our ranks. As we were out- 
• flanked, the lieutenant colonel ordered us to fall back and rally on the colors. 
We fell back about seventy-five yards, formed our line again, (being all the 
time under their fire,) and opened on them with our musketry. The rest of 
the brigade came up at this time and charged on them, taking sixty-two pris- 
oners, besides killing and wounding quite a number. The loss of our regi- 
ment in this battle was two killed, seven wounded, and eleven prisoners. 
Company E lost one killed, Crowell, above mentioned, and three prisoners, 
one of whom was James B. Kimball of Essex." 

The battle here described took place, it should be remembered, on the 21st 
47 



370 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

of May, 1863, and was the first that Company E had seen. A mark of 
honor was put upon this company at the close of the fight, well understood 
and appreciated by military men, of however doubtful significance it might 
seem to others, viz : they were put on picket duty the night following the hat- 
tie, after having done the same duty the very night before ; thus showing that 
the company had acquired a reputation for courage and endurance, not al- 
ways secured hy nine months^ men. 

A rebel flag of truce was sent in next morning, 22d inst., asking permis- 
sion to take away their dead, their prisoners having been sent down to Baton 
Eouge under guard. On the 23d, our regiment were sent a mile to the rear, 
where they remained that day. They received orders at ten o'clock in the 
evening to cook two days' rations, and be ready to march at day-light next 
morning. The cooks were busy all night, of course ; but all was ready at 
the hour, and at sun-rise they were on the march for Port Hudson. Before 
starting they heard the welcome rumor that Gen. Banks had crossed the river 
above Port Hudson with his forces, and would join them the next day. The 
great heat of the day compelled the troops to cast off all superfluous clothing ; 
and overeats, blankets, etc., lined the road over which they marched. 

While on the march to Port Hudson, and within about two miles of it, a 
long, loud cheering from the regiments in the rear announced the arrival of 
Gen. Banks. The glorious Forty-eighth were not slow in giving him three 
tremendous cheers. When within about one mile of the Port Hudson works, 
the troops halted, and established picket lines. Gen. Sherman, it was ascer- 
tained, had arrived from New Orleans, and had formed his forces on the left ; 
while Gen. Banks encircled the right, leaving ours (says Capt. H.) under 
Gen. Augur, in the centre, thus making a chain seven miles long around the 
rear of Port Hudson, the right and left of which rested on the Mississippi. 
Nothing of moment was done that day ; one of our batteries indeed, opened 
fire on the works of the enemy, and it was responded to. Our troops slept 
quietly by the side of their stacked arms. Slight firing upon the pickets in- 
deed, occasioned the forming of the men into line a few times, through ap- 
prehension of an attack. 

May 25th, no fighting except with artilleiy ; on the 26th, Capt. H. was 
detailed as ofiicer of the picket-guard (about sixty men) , thus relieving the 
old guard, which had been stationed one-fourth of a mile in advance of our 
forces. He had a reserve of fifteen men, who remained with him a short dis- 
tance in rear of the line. No firing that night. 

On the morning of the 27th, the scene changed, and the quiet of the two 
preceding days gave way to rapid artillery firing all the forenoon, the dis- 
charges averaging, as Capt. H. judged, twenty per minute. Our troops were 
passing through the picket line to the front all the forenoon, A charge was 
made on the rebel works, about noon, which was unsuccessful. At noon, the 
ofiicer of the day ordered Capt, H, to post his reserve on a road leading to 
the front, and to permit none but wounded men to pass to the rear. Some 
attempted to pass through, on pretence of being woimded, but as every man 



1861—1865.] DUTIES OF COMPANY E. 371 

was examined, many were ordered back to their regiments. Ambulances 
were constantly passing to the rear, filled with the wounded and dying. It 
was ascertained on the next day that the Forty-eighth lost seven killed and 
forty-one wounded in the attack on the 27th. Lieut. Col. O'Brien was killed 
at the head of the storming party. Five commissioned officers were wounded, 
and the Acting Brigadier General, Col. Chapin of New York, fought his 
last fight on that memorable though unsuccessful day. 

Capt. H. was, shortly after, detailed to take command of twenty-five men 
belonging to the Forty-eighth, to go ^ut under a flag of truce to bury the 
dead, lying near the rebel works. Each of the three other regiments in this 
brigade also detailed twenty-five men, making one hundred in all, under com- 
mand of Col. Johnson of the Twenty-first Maine, for the same melancholy 
duty. We found, says Capt, H., sixty-three bodies, which we took a short 
distance to the rear, and buried in trenches. Two were found living but 
badly wounded, who were removed to the hospital at the rear. A fact is 
here stated by the Captain, going to show that some sparks of humanity still 
linger in human bosoms, where we should otherwise suppose them to be utterly 
extinct. " Many of the rebels came out of the fort, and joined us while we 
were collecting the dead. They brought out beer for us to drink, and joined 
freely with us in conversation." 

On the 31st of May, Capt. H. was detailed as captain of the skirmishers 
consisting of forty men, and stationed in the edge of the woods, about four 
hundred yards from the rebel works, and was ordered to hold that portion, if 
attacked, until reinforced from the rear. He stationed two men in the tops 
of the trees to watch the movements of the enemy. Seven volleys of mus- 
ketry were received from the rebels during the day, but no one was injured, 
and the fire was not returned, for the reason that it was thought unadvisable 
to betray the strength, or rather the weakness, of the Union force. The captain 
might well say they found themselves much exhausted when relieved next morn- 
ing, having been on duty, and without sleep, ^ye of the thirteen nights since 
leaving Baton Rouge. One alarm only disturbed the rest of the following night. 

The duties of the company were more or less active, consisting largely in 
guarding the ammunition, the commissary stores, teams and forage belonging 
to the brigade, and the plantations in the rear, as well as keeping the roads 
well guarded leading into the camp. It was in this position and discharging 
these duties, that the company was occupied until the final surrender of Port 
Hudson, which took place on the 8th of July following. Company E were 
ordered to join their regiment on the next morning, July 9th, and march into 
that long rebellious Port Hudson, now rebellious, it is believed, no more. 
The steamers at the landing received them, and at dark started down the 
river, stopping a few minutes only at Baton Rouge, and proceeding on to 
Donaldsonville, arriving there at eight o'clock next morning. The 10th of 
July, was excessively hot, and while lying upon the ground, Capt. II. re- 
ceived a sun-stroke, on account of which the surgeon ordered him to Baton 
Rouge, as unfit for duty. 



372 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

The Forty-eighth came up from Donaldsonville on the 2d of August, and 
on the 8th, they received orders to turn in their muskets and equipments to 
the Quartermaster, which was done on Sunday the 9th. At four o'clock 
they embarked on board the steamer Sunny South for' Cairo, 111., where they 
aiTived August 17th, having stopped at Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, 
Helena and Columbus. 

From Cairo, they disembarked on the afternoon of the 18th, taking the 
cars for Boston, via Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo and Albany. They 
reached Boston on Sabbath morning,* August 23d, and arrived at the old 
homestead in Essex, on the afternoon of the same day. 

Capt. H. and his men were mustered out of the United States service 
September 3d, being eleven and a half months from the time of mustering 
in. The event gave great joy to all households, except, of course, those 
which had been made desolate by the death of loved ones away. For those 
smitten and mourning families, the feelings and the tears of sympathy are 
not and shall not be wanting. 

LAMONT G. BURNHAM. 

Lament G. Burnham was born August 5, 1844, and was the son of Wash- 
ington and Mary Burnham. He was a volunteer in Capt. Howes' company. 

Mr. B's. journal commences on the 8th of June, after arriving in the 
Mississippi River, and immediately after a raid on Clinton, under date of 
June 8th, being eighteen days after the fight at Plain Store, Port Hudson. 
Our company, says Mr. B., is guard over the baggage train. The regiment 
is encamped at the Plain Store. During the night two regiments came out 
from the fort and attempted to spike some of the guns in Gen. Sherman's 
division, but were repulsed, and driven back to the fort. In the morning of 
the 9th of June, he went one and one-half miles for a canteen of water, and 
although at that early season, he found blackberries on the way. That night 
"heavy firing was commenced by our batteries about dark, and continued 
through the night." This continued through Wednesday, June 10th, and 
the night following. "Several of our men were wounded. Received the 
Boston Journal and the Essex Register of May 25th." The firing seems to 
have been continued through Thursday the 11th. An election of a Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel took place on the 12th, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the 
death of Lieut-Col. O'Brien. Capt. Stanwood of Company B was chosen, 
and by this election, says Mr. Burnham, "we lost our place on the right wing 
of the regiment, which was much regretted. Numbers of rebels came from the 
fort and gave themselves up — two hundred in the whole. Our regiment was 
moved from Plain Store to the front ; and part of the day was employed in 
clearing a road through the ravine, to carry ammunition to the battery in 
front, and the remainder of the day in supporting a marine battery of nine 
inch Dahlgren guns. Back to the store at night, and again to the front, 
marching in all about twelve miles that day. At twelve o'clock the firing of 
the large guns ceased; and a flag of truce was sent in, demanding the surren- 



1861—1865.] LAMONT G. BURNHAM'S SKETCH. 373 

der of the fort, ■which was replied to by Gen. Gardiner, that his duties to the 
Southern Confederacy would not pernut him to surrender the fort. 

" Severe fighting commenced on Sunday morning the 14th, all along the 
whole front. At about eioht o'clock, our forces under Gen. Grover, charged 
and took the outer line of fortifications on the right. Along the whole line 
we were within a few hundred yards of the fort, and a continual fire of mus- 
ketry was kept up through the day. Some of the officers on the left of the 
Forty-eighth were wounded." 

"There is something grand," remarks this young soldier, " in the flashes 
of musketry, and the sheet of flame and the heavy booming of the big guns, 
and the line of fire from the shell as it flies through the air, and the explo- 
sion, dealing death to those around." Ah ! how many like Lamont G. Burn- 
ham hav» seen those flashings of the musket and that sheet of flame ; how 
many have heard the booming of the big guns and seen the line of fire, and 
instead of recording it at the battle's close in poetic style almost like the 
above, have been numbered among those to whom the " explosion " was 
death ! Well may Lamont add, as he does, " I hope I may never again see 
such a sight ! " 

The next day was one of comparative rest. Appearances indicated that 
the rebels were in much stronger force than had been supposed. Long trains 
of ammunition wagons poured into the enemy at intervals all day (the 15th). 
Neither was tlie fighting really renewed on Tuesday, although our siege bat- 
teries and sharp shooters were not wholly silent. Preparations were, however, 
made for another attack. Volunteers to the number of one thousand were 
called for as a storming party. " The brave Forty-eighth furnished twenty- 
seven." The term for which the nine months' men of Co. A, in the Forty- 
eighth, enlisted, expired on the 16th of June. The journal of this youthful 
soldier is so instructive that it ought not to be lost. On the 17th of June 
(1863), still at Port Hudson, he says " Co. A, which refused duty yesterday 
on account of their time being up, were drawn up in line before Col. Paine, 
and a company with fixed bayonets and loaded guns behind them, and each 
man was asked separately if he would do duty. All but four complied, who 
were placed under arrest to be sentenced by court martial." 

On the 19th of June, the time for which Company E enlisted, expired, 
but nothing appeared like preparations for leaving for home. It was not for- 
gotten of course, but the experience of Company A, the day before, operated 
to prevent a man from refusing to do duty. News of the surrender of Vicks- 
burg reached Port Hudson. The journalist makes the affecting entry on the 
21st of June, that F. Gilbert Mears died of chronic diarrhoea. 

AARON LOW. 

Aaron Low, aged 29 years, was born in Essex ; he was a farmer, and the 
son of Warren and Mary Low. He enlisted September 8, 1862, in Com- 
pany E, Forty-eighth regiment, Capt. Howes ; went into camp at Wenham, 
and there remained until December. At this time the regiment was sent to 



374 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

Readville, where they remained until they were ordered to New York. The 
passage was made on board the ConsteUation. 

Mr. Low's journal is filled with the result of his observations at almost 
every stage of the expedition. It is difficult from such a superabundance of 
matter to make a selection. He arrived at Fortress Monroe, however, on the 
8th of January, 1863. "It (the fort,) can be seen," he observes, "oppo- 
site the Rip Raps, and further away is Sewall's Point." On the morning of 
the 9th, when they were expecting a Virginia sun, they encountered a snow- 
storm. On the 10th, -he writes that there had not been much sickness on 
board, although three of Company E had been in the hospital, and to-day he 
says there has been a gloom and sadness cast over the men by the sudden 
death of Mr. Peabody, one of their number, a man not far from fifty years 
of age. This was the second death that had then occurred in the*company. 
The funeral took place on Sunday, the llth, at a short distance from Hamp- 
ton. From the cupola of the hospital they had a splendid view of the ruins 
of the village of Hampton that had been burnt by the rebels. Mr. Low's 
habit of observation would not allow him to be idle when there was anything 
to instruct. The country around the hospital, he observes, is level, and most 
of it apparently productive, notwithstanding the air of desolation around. 
The large, smooth fields that were apparently in a high state of cultivation 
when the rebellion commenced, are now covered over with a rank, coarse 
vegetation. On the road to Hampton they saw a few scattering apple-trees, 
and one small orchard of apple and peach-trees, though untrimmed and thrift- 
less, and in sad contrast with the productive orchards of old Massachusetts. 
" The Hygiene hospital," Mr. Low writes, " where poor 0. H. P. Sargent's 
life went out, in the flush of his manhood, has been taken down, to give bet- 
ter range to the guns of the fort, as after McClellan's defeat before Richmond, 
an attack on the fort was anticipated." " It was with feelings of sadness," 
he continues, " that I stood upon the spot, consecrated by the sufiferings of 
so many of those who have left all to serve the country. I took a sprig or 
two from the shrubbery as mementos of Sargent, whose eyes mayhap have 
looked on them before they were closed in death." 

On Wednesday, January 14th, the ship sailed for New Orleans with a 
good breeze, and on the 16th, the sea had become very rough, producing sea- 
sickness, as a matter of course. On Sabbath, the 18th, it is interesting to 
observe that the New Testament is read ; the men were around on the deck, 
some reading the Bible, or whatever they could find to while away the time. 

Mr. L. complains of the absence of books and papers as one of the most 
serious of privations, though he admits that " one cannot feel lonesome among 
so many, as there are so many phases of human nature to study." 

We find our Forty-eighth up the Mississippi River shortly after the above, 
and from Baton Rouge on the 7th of February, Mr. L. records the feeling 
of transport which pervaded the troops on the arrival of their chaplain, Rev. 
Dr. Spaulding of Newburyport, with letters from home. On the- 9th the 
unusual appearance of the season is thus described : " Robins and sparrows 



1861—1865.] AARON LOW'S SKETCH. 375 

are quite plenty, and the frogs peeping in the evening, make it seem more 
like Spring than Winter;" and at 10 o'clock on the night of the 10th of 
February, after posting his guard, he says, the air is as warm as September 
or June, and the peeping of frogs and the hum of insects make the illusion 
complete. Lieut. Brown of Ipswich inspected them, the 12th of February. 
After a stroll in the woods in the afternoon of the same day, he says, there 
are many very large trees of sweet gum and white wood, measuring from 
four to seven feet through, and fifty to seventy-five feet high, clear of limbs. 
There are also noble specimens of lime and white oak and magnolia. There 
does not appear to have been any care taken of these noble trees for a long 
time, as many are standing thirty to fifty feet high, branchless and barkless. 
Within the circle of a few rods, I counted the remains of five enormous trees, 
seven to eight feet in diameter, and from one hundred to two hundred feet 
high, which had been cut down years ago, and a small part carried away. 

Sickness is mentioned on the 27th of February. "Have been down to 
the general hospital where Solomon A. Riggs, Horace Burnham, J. Daniels, 
and J. Jewett are. The boys are all getting along well. The hospital was 
formerly a deaf and dumb asylum. Went to see the ruins of the State 
House, once a splendid building, costing nearly a million and a half of dol- 
. lai'S. At the time it was burnt it was occupied by our troops and by rebel 
prisoners ; it is supposed to have been set on fire. The charred remains of 
State documents, pamphlets, marble mantles, and fire-places besides the ruins 
of costly furniture are all lying in a confused mass in the tanks below. The 
buildino; stood a short distance from the river, the banks on this side being 
much higher than on the other." 

IRA FRANCIS BURNHAM. 

Ira Francis Burnham was born in Essex, November 21, 1844 ; his father's 
name was Ira Burnham, and his mother's Harriet ; occupation formerly, 
farming ; since the war, vessel-building. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth 
Regiment, in September, 1862 ; was mustered in at Wenhara, and was there 
from the middle of September to the last of November. " Our regiment con- 
sisted of eight companies, and near the last of November, six companies were 
ordered to Readville, where we remained till after Christmas. Near the last 
of December we were ordered to Groton, Ct., by rail, thence by steamer to 
New York, where we remained about five days, and thence by sailing vessel, 
the Constellation, left for Fortress Monroe, and again, in about one week, 
left in same vessel for New Orleans, where we arrived February 1st. The 
grass was then green ; oranges upon the trees looked inviting. Our next 
place of destination was Baton Rouge. Some sickness made its appearance 
about this time. Solomon A. Riggs and Horace Burnham, also Maurice 
Callehan had been sick on the voyage from New York. We left the two 
former at New Orleans. Andrews came up about the 1st of May. Horace 
B. was discharged for disability, at New Orleans. Our first fight was at 
Plain Store, so called, near Port Hudson. Not being able to do full duty, I 



376 ' HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

was appointed Col. Stone's orderly. Col. Chapin commanded our brigade 
at the time of our attack on Port Hudson. My duty as orderly, was to 
report to the adjutant-general of the brigade, the state and condition of our 
regiment, which statement was prepared by our Adjutant Ogden, showing the 
number sick or in any way disabled, and the number ready for duty. I was 
in both assaults on Port Hudson, one in May and the other in June. After 
the May attack, our regiment was sent back to Plain Store, as a rear guard. 
We remained there till the evening before the June attack ; this attack was 
on the Sabbath. Neither attack, as is well-known, was successful ; the fort 
did not surrender till July 8th. I received my bounty of $200 after being 
mustered in, and $13 per month while in the service. In case of our advan- 
cing money for our uniforms, it was afterwards refunded. I was in the hos- 
pital at Baton Rouge about nine weeks, with fever." 

SOLOMON A. RIGGS. 
Solomon A. Riggs, the son of Asa and Anna Riggs, was born in Essex, 
November 7, 1834. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, Company E, at the time of its formation. Mr. Riggs' fortunes as a 
soldier are almost told when it is stated that he was in Company E, inasmuch 
as the history of the company has already been so particularly told by the 
captain and others. He was sick, however, and sent to the hospital at New 
Orleans ; though we find him, when only partially recovered, namely, on the 
13th of May, leaving the hospital to join the company, though still unable, 
says the captain, to do duty. This it will be recollected, was on the same day 
when Wilkins James died, and was buried. 

JOHN F. HART. 
John F. Hart enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment, Company A, afterwards 
made First Heavy Artillery. His enlistment was in August, 1862, and they 
reached Camp Cameron at Cambridge the same day. They remained there 
about one week, when they received their uniforms and equipments, and left 
for Washington, being ordered to join the said First Heavy Artillery, then 
numbering about fifteen hundred men. The history of this soldier is so 
nearly identified with that of Joseph W. Tucker, that perhaps little more 
need be said, than to refer the reader to the sketch of Mr. Tucker, except 
where the statements are strictly personal. 

JOSEPH W. TUCKER. 
Joseph W. Tucker was 35 years and six months old when he enlisted, viz., 
on the 2d of August, 1862. He was born in Boston, March 20, 1827. The 
Fourteenth Massachusetts, Company A, into which Mr. Tucker enlisted, was 
subsequently made, as before stated, the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. 
Mr. Tucker left Essex August 13, 1862, and arrived at Camp Cameron in 
Cambridge the same day. On the 21st of August, he found himself in 
Washington, and along with, other Essex soldiers, attached as above stated, 
and stationed at the fort five and a half miles from Washington, in Virginia. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 377 

In three days more they were ordered to reinforce Gen. Pope, then at Cloud's 
Mills, and were in what was called Pope's defeat, and in the battle of Fair- 
fax, five miles beyond the court-house, and at the close of the battle, the same 
day, were ordered to Fort De Kalb, there to do garrison duty. In three 
weeks, Mr. T. was detailed for hospital duty at Fort Craig. Here he re- 
mained seventeen months. 

GEOEGE F. BUKNHAM. 

George F. Burnham, 2d, son of Joel and Mary Burnham, was born April 
15, 1837. He enlisted in Company E, Capt. Howes, Forty-eighth Massa- 
chusetts, Col. Stone, for nine months. His fortunes being identified with 
those of the company, need not, as indeed in his absence, they cannot be mi- 
nutely described. He received his discharge with the company, and returned 
with them. 

JAMES HORACE BURNHAM. 

James Horace Burnham, son of Michael and Patience Burnham, enlisted 
at the age of 1& years, being in July, 1862, into the Thirty-ninth Massa- 
chusetts, Col. P. S. Davis, Company A, Capt. Nelson. This regiment left 
the State on the 6th of September, and were ordered to the defenses of 
Washington, where they remained until July 6, 1863, when they joined the 
Army of the Potomac. Their first engagement was at Mine Run, Va., on 
the 29th and 30th of December, 1863, although they had had some skir- 
mishes under Gen. Meade ; indeed the army had been under Gen. Meade 
wholly till this time, when the command was taken by Gen. Grant. In the 
following Spring they crossed the Rapidan, and attacked the rebel army. May 
6th, at the Wilderness, Va. The fighting continued until the 8th, when he 
was wounded by a rifle ball in the abdomen. This was the fight near 
Spottsylvania Court House, and that ball he carried till the 14th of March, 
1865, when it was extracted at the Summit House hospital in Philadelphia. 
Up to the time of being wounded Mr. B. had never been away from the reg- 
iment, although he had had a typhoid fever, disqualifying him for duty some 
eight weeks. He never joined the regiment after the ball was extracted, and 
after the surrender of Lee, was discharged. 

ISRAEL F. ANDREWS. 
Israel F. Andrews, aged 30 years, shoemaker, was the son of Israel and 
Kezia Andrews, and born in Essex. He enlisted for nine months, in Com- 
pany E, Capt. Howes, Forty-eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, 
August 28, 1862. He was in the battle at Donaldsonville, and the siege at 
Port Hudson. His history, except when strictly personal, is so incorporated 
in the interesting sketch given by Capt. Howes, like many others, that it is 
thought sufficient to refer the reader to that sketch. 

HORACE BURNHAM. 
Horace Burnham, son of John and Sarah C. Burnham, was born in Essex, 

February 20, 1813. He enlisted in August, 1862, into Company E, Capt. 

48 



378 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chai-. 7. 

Howes, Forty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, for nine months. He was 
taken sick before seeing any service, and continued so until discharged. He 
was absent from home just nine months. 

LEWIS BURNHAM. 
Lewis Burnbam, aged 18 years, was the son of Noah and Caroline Burn- 
ham ; ship carpenter, born in Essex. He enlisted September 8, 1862, in 
Company E, Forty-eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. His regi- 
ment left the State on the 27th of December, to join Gen. Banks' command 
at New Orleans. He was taken prisoner, July 13, 1863, but released on 
parole the next day. He came home by the way of Cairo, and thence by land. 

ALBERT r. BURNHAM. 

Albert F. Burnham, 2d, was born in Essex, November 1, 1840. He was 
a ship carpenter, and the son of Ebenezer and Susan T. Burnham. He en- 
listed August 30, 1862, in Capt. Wheatland's Company E, afterwards Capt. 
Howes', Forty-eiglith Massachusetts Volunteers. After encamping first at 
Wenham, September 19, 1862, and then at Readville, the regiment was or- 
dered to the Mississippi River to join the command of Gen, Banks. Mr. B. 
states that he was not in any battle, was never wounded, nor in any hospital, 
nor at any time a prisoner ; received bounty and wages as did all others of 
that regiment and company. 

ALPHONSO M. HARDY. 
Alphonso M. Hardy, aged 19 years, and a line maker, was born in Essex, 
and was the son of Daniel and Mary Hardy. He enlisted August 23, 1862, 
in Capt. Howes' Company E. He was discharged from Camp Lander, at 
Wenham, for disability, October 1, 1862. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

Andrew Jackson, aged 28 years, was the son of JotHam Jackson. He 
enlisted in Company E, Massachusetts Forty-eighth Regiment, September 19, 
1862. His subsequent history is not known. 

LUTHER HAYDEN. 

Luther Hayden, aged 44 years, was born in Braintree, and was hotel- 
keeper and stabler, and the son of Barnabas and Rusby Hayden. He en- 
listed August 25, 1862, in Capt. Howes' Company E, Forty-eighth Massa- 
chusetts Regiment. Mr. Hayden's history is part and parcel with that of 
all the members of this company substantially. He was consequently one of 
those to whom Capt. Howes' compliment of good, soldiership applies, and to 
which the reader is again referred. 

LEONARD BURNHAM. 

Leonard Burnham, at the time of enlistment, on the 28th of August, 1862, 
was 22 years of age, and the son of Michael and Patience Burnham. Mr. 
B. went into camp at Wenham, September 15th, and was mustered into the 
service of the United States, in the Forty-eighth Regiment, on the 19th of 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OP THE SOLDIEES. 379 

September, Company E, Capt. Howes. He was with the regiment and fol- 
lowed its fortunes until the 11th of April, 1863, when he was taken sick and 
went to the hospital. [See sketch of Capt. Howes, p. 364 and onward.] 
jMr. B. remained at the hospital two months and three weeks, at the close of 
which term he joined the regiment before Port Hudson, on the 3d of June, 
and was with them through the remainder of that siege, also in a skirmish at 
Donaldsonville. He came home with the regiment, and was mustered out of 
service on the 3d of September, 1863, at Wenham. 

JOHN McEACHEN. 

John McEachen, was born in Port Hood, Nova Scotia, July 2, 1837 ; 
occupation ship carpenter ; son of John and Mary McEachen. He enlisted 
on the 30th of August, 1862, in Company E, Forty-eighth Massachusetts; 
mustered in, September 19, 1862, and his history is fully described in that of 
the other members of the company from Essex, to which reference is to be 
made. His own statement, however, is brief and may be inserted in a few 
words, thus: "I was in the first fight at Port Hudson Plain, May 21, 1863, 
also in the unsuccessful second attack, May 27th. Our place of encamp- 
ment was in front of Port Hudson. I have not been wounded or ever been 
made a prisoner of war. For two months, however, I was in a hospital for 
medical treatment." 

ROBERT PREST. 

Robert Prest, aged 37 years, is a wheelwright by trade, and has a wife and 
four children ; son of William and Jane Prest. He was born near Plymouth 
in England ; enlisted in Company E, Forty-eighth Massachusetts. He was 
detailed as ambulance driver at New Orleans, until February 10, 1863, when 
be was discharged, his time having expired. In October, 1863, he re-en- 
listed as artificer, in the Twelfth Company Unattached Heavy Artillery, 
Capt. Richardson. The regiment was stationed at Fort Pickering, Salem 
Harbor (February, 1864). 

MAURICE CALLEHAN. 

Maurice Callehan was born in Ireland, and enlisted in the Massachusetts 
Forty-eighth, Col. Stone, Company E, Capt. Howes. The history of 
Maurice Callehan as given by him verbally (except so far as involved with 
others of Company E, and therefore unnecessary to be repeated,) informs us 
that he was taken sick in about two days after going on board the Constella- 
tion at New York, bound for the Mississippi. "I was better," says he, " on 
arriving at Baton Rouge, February 4th. I think I remained there about two 
months, doing guard duty. I was in the battle at Plain Store, and in both 
attacks on Port Hudson. I was sick again when on the Baton Rouge road 
for about three weeks, where we were without shelter of any kind, except 
the shelter-tent and the trees, together with a rubber blanket. This tent con- 
sists of two pieces of cotton cloth, buttoned together. Our physician was 
Dr. Hurd, but I was sick i»early a week before he was called. In addition 
to the fever, I was afflicted with chronic diarrhoea. After the surrender of 



380 HIST.OEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

Port Hudson, we were ordered down the river to Donaldsonville. I was 
with the company the rest of the time, and returned home with them. I 
was never wounded, though I was several times unwell, besides the two sick- 
nesses referred to above," 

JOHN KELLEHER. 
John Kelleher was born in Ireland. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth, 
Company E, as a nine months' man, and was at Camp Lander until the re- 
moval of the troops, first to Readville, and shortly after to New York, and 
thence, on the 2d of January following, by water to New Orleans. He was 
at Port Hudson in the memorable attack upon that place, and fired about 
twenty-five rounds, as he thinks. The station of the Forty-eighth was im- 
mediately under the guns of the fort. 

THOMAS MAHONY. 
Thomas Mahony was born in Ireland. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth 
Regiment, Company E, and at the same time with other members from Essex. 
Mr. M. continued with the company all the way to Port Hudson, so that his 
history, like that of Mr. Kelleher last mentioned, is involved in theirs, and 
has already to a considerable extent been told, or will be found closely con- 
nected with that of Marston, Kimball and Lamont G. Burnham. 

CHARLES P. CROCKETT. 
Charles P. Crockett's personal history is lost, except to his friends at a 
distance, and beyond our reach. It is known, however, that he enlisted in 
Company E, Capt. Howes of the Forty-eighth, Col. Stone, The occasional 
allusions to him in the sketch by Capt. Howes and others, furnish the melan- 
choly facts of his illness and death on the banks of the Mississippi, while en- 
gaged in the line of his duty. 

JAMES B. KIMBALL. 

James B. Kimball was a member of the Massachusetts Forty-eighth, Col. 
Stone, and of Company E, Capt. Howes. Mr. Kimball was detailed with 
nine others, for the hospital department, on January 1, 1863, and thereby 
made non-comhatant. When not engaged in the duties of this ofiice, the 
members of this corps have opportunity for making observations upon pass- 
ing events more extensively and accurately than officers or soldiers can gen- 
erally do. Mr. K. was wide awake to his advantages in this respect, and not 
slow to improve them. Officially, the ten men in the hospital service are 
familiar chiefly with surgical instruments, tourniquets, bandages, lint, 
stretchers and quinine, and a part of their active duty consists in placing 
wounded men upon stretchers and carrying them to the surgeons in the rear. 
This implement is believed to be somewhat modern as it is now used, and 
may be described as consisting of two side-pieces of wood, corresponding to a 
farmer's hay poles, but connected with a sacking bottom upon which the 
wounded man is laid. One soldier at each end jarries the load with ease. 
But a preliminary duty is frequently to apply the lint, the bandage, and 



1861—1865.] JAMES B. KIMBALL'S SKETCH. 381 

finally the tourniquet, used to stop blood with, Mr. Kimball early noticed 
the diflerence in diflferent men, with regard to the ability to bear heavy surgi- 
cal operations — some resolutely declining chloroform, though it was always 
at hand, and declining also to be strapped to the table. He has seen men 
hold out a right arm to the surgeon and suffer the amputation, not only with- 
out wincing, but almost with the fortitude of Covey, the English marine, who, 
after losing both legs by a chain shot, called out to a comrade, "Shove them • 
along here, and let me have one more kick at the French before I go for 't." 
Mr. K. was captured by the rebels in May, and was with them forty-nine days, 
when Port Hudson capitulated. Of the style of living among the rebels Mr. 
K. is fully competent to speak. It has been remarked by others, that had 
Vicksburg not fallen, and had a supply of provisions been obtained, we might 
have knocked at the door of Port Hudson in vain. Any assault might have 
been attempted with terrible slaughter. " We were allowed four ears of Indian 
corn per day only," says he, "and yet we fared as well as the rebels. This 
corn was frequently musty, and whether eaten raw, or as cracked corn, or boiled 
in lye and made into samp, so called, it was far from being wholesome, pro- 
ducing diarrhoea, though perhaps not in a very aggravated form." He lost 
twenty-two and a half pounds of flesh in forty-nine days. 

Our army took possession of Port Hudson on the 8th of July, when Mr. K. 
was relieved and returned home with the other nine months' men, their time 
of service having now expired, Mr. Kimball's experience in the hospitals en- 
ables him to speak upon matters connected with that department, and his ob- 
servation in many things has led to the same results at which surgeons them- 
selves have usually arrived. As before stated, he remarked the usual absence 
of pain in gun-shot wounds. The exceptions usually made by surgeons are in 
cases of injury to the joints. Surgical operations among the rebels, so far as 
witnessed by him, were as skillfully performed as in our own army. One of 
the evils incident to war, is the impossibility of attending to cases in season. 
Theophilus Pousley of Salem was taken at the same time Mr. Kimball was. 
He was wounded by a shell in the leg, taking off all the fleshy part. It was 
in the afternoon that the injury was inflicted, and his case could not be reached 
till the next day, when it was too late, his death having taken place in the 
morning. 

Our army, as Mr. K. states, and as agrees with the printed reports, having 
fought for nine hours at Plain Store, on the 21st of May, made three other 
distinct charges upon the rebels during the siege. Although our soldiers in 
the excavation in front of the enbankment entirely escaped the heavy cannon- 
ading, they yet suifered fearfully from the small arms. Mr. Luther Ilayden 
became acquainted, after the surrender, with a rebel soldier, who, before the 
surrender, shot fifteen of our men in the ditch. His guns were loaded for 
him, sometimes by the wounded. When taking aim at the sixteenth* Yankee, 
the soldier entreated for his life. " Throw away your gun and come here," 
said the half chivalrous rebel, which the Union man, under those circumstances, 
was nothing loth to do. 



382 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

MARK FRANCIS BURNHAM. 

Mark Francis Burnham was the son of Mark and Mary C. Burnbam. 
He enlisted December 15, 1863, in the Second Massachusetts Cavahy, Col, 
Charles Lowell, Capt. Macintosh. They were first ordered to Long Island 
in Boston Harbor, where they remained about one month, after which they 
were sent to join the regiment at Vienna, Va., for drilling, and remained here 
for some six months. Mr. Burnham represents his Jirst days work in the sad- 
dle to have been most exhausting. A part of the regiment, from previous train- 
ing, were able to sustain the fatigue ; but one hundred and eighty-five like 
himself were in the saddle, as before said, for the j^rsi time. His first day's 
service lasted from three o'clock in the morning until two o'clock of the next 
morning, being twenty-three hours, having had but three short stops for re- 
freshments, and traveling sixty miles. Such was his sense of prostration that 
on dismounting he fell to the ground. Their first fighting was at Ashby's 
Gap, and it was heavy. They were then between Washington and the main 
army defending Washington. In March, 1864, they were at Drainsville, Va., 
and thence crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry on the 16th of July, 
where they joined Sheridan's army. Mr, B. was finally mustered out of the 
service at Fairfax Court House, July 22, 1865. 

By way of recapitulation in part, it may be stated that Mr. B. was present 
at the grand consummation of the surrender of Lee's army, after having fought 
at Ashby's Gap, Fort Stevens, Rockville, Poolesville, Summit Point, Hall- 
town, Opequan, Winchester, Waynesboro, Cedar Creek, South Anna, White 
Oak Road, Berrysville, Charlestown, Dinwiddle Court House, Five Forks, 
and Appomattox Court House. Four horses were shot under him in these 
battles, two having been so at Winchester. He relates one escape which he 
may well consider providential, as follows : In June, 1864, some seven hun- 
dred cavalry had been, on one occasion, ordered to Point of Eocks, Six men 
besides himself were detailed to go up the canal in a boat with rations ; while 
on shore they were surprised by about forty of Mosby's guerrillas. As they 
advanced, the seven Union soldiers fired their guns, but had no time to re- 
load, and retreated. Four were captured at once. He with two others fell 
into a ditch somewhat concealed by the tall overhanging grass. He was not dis- 
covered by the guerrillas, but the two other surrendered themselves. In the 
result, five of the seven died in the horrors of Libby Prison, and one alone 
besides himself escaped to tell the story. 

ALBERT ANDREWS. 
Albert Andrews, son of Ira and Martha Andrews, was drafted, July 10, 
1863, being the first draft ordered by the President of three hundred thou- 
sand men. He was assigned to the Sixteenth Massachusetts, Lieut Col. 
Waldo Merriara then commander, and Company A, Capt. Joseph S. Hills. 
They were first sent to Long Island, in Boston Harbor, where they remained 
about ten days, and thence were ordered to join the main army at Beverly 
Ford, on the 31st of August, 1863 ; and thence to Culpepper Court House. 



1861—1565.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 383 

On the 27tb of July, 1864, they were transferred to the Eleventh Battalion 
of Infantry, commanded by Col. Charles C. Eivers, James F. Mansfield, 
Captain. He fought in the following battles, viz : Locust Grove, Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania Court House, Coal Harbor, Hatcher's Run, siege of Peters- 
burg, which surrendered April 2d, from which time till April 9th, the army 
followed Lee, when he surrendered. He was discharged, July 14, 1865, at 
Four Mile Run, having never been wounded. He was, however, taken sick 
in September, 1864, of chronic diarrhoea, and sent to the hospital in New 
York, where he remained two months. Mr. Andrews speaks well of the hos- 
pital treatment, and remarked that a free library of some hundreds of volumes 
was established for the benefit of the soldiers, and he there read the life and 
works of his townsman, Hon. Rufus Choate, once teacher of the district 
school in Esses, where his father Ira Andrews was a pupil. 

CHARLES E. MARSTON. 

Charles E. Marston, enlisted in the Forty-eighth Regiment of Massachu- 
setts Volunteers, on the 23d of September, 1862, and was stationed at Camp 
Lander, Wenhara. He left with his regiment for Readville, on the 4th of 
December following, and on the 27th of the same month, the regiment was 
under marching orders for New York, where they arrived on Sunday the 28th, 
at seven and a half A. M. 

As the diary of Mr. Marston was carefully kept, extracts will be made 
somewhat freely. The regiment embarked on board the sailing ship Constel- 
lation, on Friday, January 2, 1863, at twelve and a half, noon. After 
speaking the ship Crown Point, for New York, one hundred and forty-five 
days from Bombay, Mr. Marston shared with others the bane of every voy- 
age, sea-sickness, but in addition to that had a severe attack of nettle rash, 
so called, lasting three days. During a gale of some severity on the 5th, 
the soldiers were all ordered below, and none but sailors were allowed on 
deck. Cape Henry was made on the 8th, this being the first glance of " Old 
Virginia's shore." While lying at anchor in the mouth of the Bay on the 
8th, J. Peabody was taken sick, and died on the 10th. The New Ironsides 
arrived there from Philadelphia that day. The ship sailed for New Orleans 
on the 15th of January, and after the usual varieties of weather, arrived off 
the mouth of the Mississippi on or about the 29th. Fort Jackson was passed 
on the 31st. 

On the 12th of February the first general inspection took place, by Lieut. 
Brown of Ipswich, " a very smart ofificer and aid-de-camp to Gen. Grover. 
Gen. Banks passed our camp on the 9th of March." 

An incident in negro life is recorded by Mr. Marston, on the 1st of April, 
1863, at Bayou, Montecino. After having been down to the river and seen 
the gunboat Seneca, they came to a negro hut. The negroes were outside. 
There was a corpse in the house on the table, covered with a white cloth ; it 
was very small and a woman knelt beside it. There were four candles on 
the table, one at each corner. 



384 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

While at Camp Williams near the State House, on the 6th of April, "had 
orders to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice, as an attack was ex- 
pected in the night. On the 7th, started out one mile to cut down trees. 
On the 9th, we were detailed to go to the funeral of the Captain of the One 
Hundred and Tenth New York regiment. 

On the 19th of May, went to Port Hudson Plains and returned at night. 
On the 21st of May, started for Port Hudson, Upper Plains; had a battle ; 
Benjamin Crowell, killed ; J. B. Kimball, E. Southwick, and T. Pousley, 
missing, probably taken prisoners." On the 26th, they went to support the 
Fourth Battery. On the 27th, "an assault on Port Hudson, Col. O'Brien 
killed." " July 7th, news arrived that Vicksburg was taken, and Port Hud- 
son surrendered on the 8th of July. The Union troops went in on the 9th. 
At seven o'clock P. M., same day, left for Donaldsonville on board the Louis- 
iana Belle, and arrived at seven A. M. on the 10th. Capt. Howes and five 
others left for Baton Rouge, sick. On the 12th, the Forty-ninth Massachu- 
setts and Sixth Massachusetts Battery went out, took ten prisoners and re- 
turned at night. On the 13th, left the river, marched three miles, and 
bivouacked. A battle commenced at ten o'clock, and ended at four P. M. ; 
had to fall back ; the Forty-eighth and One Hundred and Sixty-first New 
York, were the last to leave the field. Missing at roll on the 14th, Lewis 
Burnham, Solomon A. Biggs, J. L. Ford, P. Caldwell; on the 17th, the 
two former arrived back." On the 20th, Mr. Marston had an attack of nettle 
rash and diarrhoea with fever, having got wet for two nights ; was much re- 
lieved by ice and lemon. His loss by weight in sixteen days was fifteen 
pounds. On Sabbath 26th, went to church at the hospital ; got a book and 
at night another. On the 28th, he was sick again. An inspection took place 
on the 9th of August. ' ' Went on board the Sunny South same day and left 
for Cairo, eight hundred and sixty miles up the river ; passed steamers Diana, 
Autocrat, Baltic and one unknown ; passed Port Hudson at six A. M. Com- 
modore Farragut burned this place, because the people killed some of his men 
while ashore. Saw an alligator on the shore ; passed a rebel iron-clad at nine 
A. M., and two iron-clad rams at twelve o'clock M." 

On arriving at Natchez they found six steamers, and left on the 11th. 
" This city is on a hill." In going up the river they passed the mansion of 
the rebel Gen. Williams, and arrived at Vicksburg on the 12th. "August 
15th, arrived at Memphis; we afterwards went back to Fort Pickering, one 
mile, and stopped to coal ; a very handsome place, buildings mostly of brick. 
On the 16th, passed Island No. 10, and on the 17th, Columbus, (Ky.) and 
at ten o'clock, A. M., we arrived at Cairo, (111.) " 

Mr. Marston was in three battles during his nine months' service. First, 
at Port Hudson Plain, the fight lasted nine hours, on the 21st of May; al- 
ready referred to above, when Benjamin Crowell was killed. In this fight, 
by far the most considerable of the three, the troops were lying down while 
loading and firing. Mr. Crowell raised his head upon his elbows in order to 
see the enemy, when it was taken ofi" by a solid shot. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 385 

LYMAN B. ANDREWS. 
Lyman B. Andrews, son of Capt. Moses and Susan Andrews, born March 
20, 1841 ; enlisted August 2, 1862, in Company E, Capt. Howes, Forty- 
eighth Kegiment, Col. Stone. He was with the regiment throughout the 
campaign, and discharged at the same time. 

GEORGE C. CLAIBORNE. 
George C. Claiborne was born at Shapleigh, Me., October 30, 1819. His 
father was William H. and his mother Abigail Claiborne ; came to reside in 
Essex, in 1845. Mr. C. enlisted in a company of mounted rifle rangers 
under Gen. B. F. Butler, November 6, 1861, and was sent to Ship Island in 
the Gulf Division ; but was detailed with ten others to take charge of a load 
of horses, one hundred and fifty-three in all, sent to that island, by the trans- 
port Black Prince, of one thousand and sixty tons. The ship encountered a 
disastrous storm on her passage, during which the horses broke loose, and by 
the roll of the vessel, were so thrown together that but few reached the island 
alive. The balance of the company arrived at the island shortly after the 
Black Prince. This company of rangers, commanded by Gapt. James M. 
McGee, belonged to, or made a part of Gen. Shepley's Brigade. After 
some three months' service at the island, they were ordered to New Orleans. 
It was during the service at the island, in the saddle, however, that Mr. Clai- 
borne received an injury in the artery of his left leg, on account of which he 
was discharged on or about the 11th of June, 1862, and finally left New 
Orleans, ^ar the last of July following, for home. 

NATHANIEL HASKELL. 

Nathaniel Haskell, though residing in Gloucester at the commencement of 
the rebellion, is an Essex boy, and his record is worthy of preservation. He 
enlisted in Company G, Massachusetts Eighth, and we find him at the Re- 
lay House, Washington Junction, in Maryland, as early as the 26th of May, 
1861. " Who would have thought," says he, in a letter to his mother, " that 
I would have slept in the capitol of the United States." Yet so it was. He 
arrived there but a short time before the lamented Col. Ellsworth was killed 
at Alexandria, and his mortal remains were carried by the place of encamp- 
ment on the 2.5th of May, 1861. Mr. H. received with much gratitude 
clothing sent him by the ladies of Gloucester, Mass., as one of Company G, 
in the Massachusetts Eighth. He writes his first letter while lying on the 
ground, with a little box for his desk ; "while in the tent," he says, " some 
are writing and some are telling stories. But it is Sunday," he writes, "and 
the bell is now ringing for meeting, and I guess I shall go." 

On the 5th of June, we find him rejoicing in having a plenty to eat, and 

a plenty to wear, and saying he never felt better in his life. " We don't have 

to work very hard," says he, "but drill six hours a day." On the 5th of 

June, " there were acres and acres of strawberries close to us, at five cents 

a quart," and he says that in regard to both the price and the quantity, 
49 



386 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

•as well as quality, they altogether exceeded anything that Mount Hunger had 
to show, (the celebrated garden of Abel Burnhaiii in Gloucester. IMass.) 

In the immediate neighborhood of Baltimore, on the 10th of July, 18G1, 
Mr. Haskell says in his letter : " Only think ! we arc on a secession man's 
ground, and our stars and stripes are waving over it. When we first came 
here, he tried to drive us oiF. There are about fifteen thousand troops in Bal- 
timore and around the city, besides six pieces of artillery all loaded and point- 
ing two up each street, while we are marching through it." 

No one can be so ill-tempered as to forbid the soldiers having a little pas- 
time when safe occasion offers. The soldier, Haskell, in a letter from Annap- 
olis, dated December 16, 1861, says " to-day, one of our boys had a letter 
from a lady in New Jersey, although they had never seen each other in the 
world. I will tell you how it was. As we were coming along, he wrote his 
name on a piece of paper, with a request that whoever picked it up would 
write to him. He put the paper into his handkerchief and threw it out of 
the cars. The letter received in reply to the request was quite a patriotic 
one." On the 25th of December, he writes in good spirits (Christmas day) 
and says "folks may say what they have a mind to, but soldiering is a gay 
life, and if you don't believe it, judge for yourself. I have weighed one hun- 
dred and seventy-six pounds to-day, so that my gain in the army has been 
sixteen pounds." He afterwards re-enlisted for coast defence, and served till 
the close of the war. 

HERVEY ALLEN. 

Hervey Allen, son of Joseph and Orpha Allen, enlisted in jj^cember, 
1864, for one year, for coast defence in forts in the vicinity of Boston. 

GILMAN ANDREWS. 
Gilman Andrews enlisted in Capt. Babson's Company for coast defence, 
and like twelve others served to the close of the war. 

FRANK E. ANDREWS. 
Frank E. Andrews, son of Francis E. Andrews, enlisted like the foregoing 
for one year for coast defence. Discharged at the close of the war. 

ADDISON COGSWELL. 
Addison Cogswell, son of John and Elizabeth Cogswell, enlisted in Capt. 
Babson's Company for coast defence at the same time as the foregoing, hav. 
ing the same service to perform, and was discharged at the same time. Mr. 
Cogswell's residence was in Gloucester, but he properly passes for an Essex 
soldier, as he helps to fill our qu'ota. 

WILLIAM B. LOW. 

William B. Low, aged 17 years, was born in Essex, and was the son of 

Caleb and Kachel Low. He enlisted the 3d of December, 1861, in Capt. 

Bartlett's Company I, Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry. After 

being mustered into camp they were ordered to Poolesville, Md. He was 



1861—1865.] WILLIAM B. LOW'S SKETCH. 387 

in the battle at Yorktown under McClellan, also in the seven clays' battle,' 
so called. He received a flesh wound in the leg at Antietam battle, and 
another in the thigh at Gettysburg. He was also in the Fredericksburg 
battle under Burnside and Meade. He was appointed corporal in 1862 ; 
came home November 16, 1863, and remained twenty-five days, when he re- 
turned to his regiment at Stephensburg. 

In addition to the above, for which obligations are due to J. C. Choate, 
town clerk of Essex, for the use of the records made by him, not only in 
this, but in numerous other cases# the following facts and incidents are de- 
rived from Mr. Low the soldier, himself. They are miscellaneous, and do 
not follow in strictly chronological order. " At the Fredericksburg battle 
on the 11th or 12th of December, 1862, out of sixty men in our company, 
we lost thirty-five." He was wounded by a spent ball at Antietam battle 
on the 17th of September, 1862, and carried oft' to the hospital. " Gen. 
Dana commanded our brigade — Sedgwick the division, and Sumner the 
corps. At Gettysburg, the rebels shelled us two hours on the last day. I 
was wounded in the thigh the third day. Col. Revere was killed, and Col. 
Nacy had his left arm shot off Only three officers of our , regiment came 
out of the battle unhurt, of the whole seventeen that went in. Our cap- 
tain, Abbot, son of Judge Abbot, has since been made major. Our regi- 
ment was near the centre, which is said by the official reports, to have been 
harder pressed than any other part of the army." In answer to questions 
put to him, Mr. Low says the music is never played in battle ; and as to 
disposing of the men in open order to prevent slaughter, it is not done. In 
the battle of Savage's Station, in July, we first drove the rebels, but after 
dark they drove us. Col. Meagher's (Irish) regiment was alongside of 
ours ; a spirited fellow on a mule carried their flag. Savage's Station is, 
say ten to twelve miles from Richmond ; we could see the steeples at times. 
Surgical operations are performed in a very short time. I have seen Doc- 
tor Hazard with his sleeves rolled up and pants all bloody, while amputating 
limbs. Chloroform is used freely. At Yorktown, we saw the very spot, as 
we were told, where Cornwallis surrendered. 

DANIEL CALLEHAN. 

Daniel Callehan was born in Ireland ; enlisted in Company E, Capt. 
Howes, Forty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment. He survived the campaign 
and returned with the company. It is not known that he was sick or wounded 
while in the service. It may, however, be added that he has since died, viz : 
September 18, 1864, leaving a widow and three children. 

WILLIAM E. LOW. 

William E. Low, aged 19 years, was born in Essex, by trade a shoemaker, 
was the son of Rufus and Mary Eliza Low. He enlisted October 9, 1861, 
in Company I, Capt. Hobbs, Twenty-third Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, infantry ; ordered to join Gen. Burnside. He was in the battles of 
Roauoke Island, Newborn, Kinston and others. His regiment remained at 



388 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

Newbern about a year, and was then ordered to Hilton Head, S. C, wbere 
they remained two days and returned to Newbern, and from that place to 
Fortress Monroe. He came home on furlough on the 1st of July, and re- 
turned on the 24th, (1863). On returning to the army he was sent to join 
Gen. Butler's expedition up the James River, during which he fought in two 
or three engagements. After this he was ordered to join Grant's army, near 
Richmond, and at Coal Harbor was severely wounded in his face, receiving 
a ball at the corner of his mouth. This wound occasioned three months' 
•hospital treatment, at the close of which his^three years had so nearly expired 
that he was discharged. 

WILLIAM H. ANDREWS. 

William H. Andrews, aged 34 years, shoemaker, was born in Essex, and 
the son of Eleazer and Judith Andrews. He enlisted June 30, 1862, for 
six months, in the Mechanics' Light Infantry, Capt. Staten ; was sent to Fort 
Warren, Boston harbor, and was discharged January 1, 1863, his term of 
enlistment having expired. 

ALBURN ANDREWS. 

Alburn Andrews, aged 19 years, born in Essex, was the son of Eleazer 
and Judith Andrews. He enlisted June, 1862, for six months in the Salem 
Mechanics' Light Infantry, Capt. Staten, and was sent to Fort Warren on 
garrison duty. He was discharged on January 1st, his time having expired. 
He re-enlisted in December, 1864, for one year, and was discharged at the 
close of the war, that is, after a service of about seven months. 

JOSEPH OILMAN ALLEN. 

Joseph Gilman Allen, aged 32 years, born in Essex, was the son of Jo- 
seph and Orpha Allen; ship-carpenter. He enlisted June, 1862, for six 
months in the Salem Mechanics' Light Infantry, before mentioned, and was 
discharged at the expiration of the time of service, viz., January, 1863. 

ALFRED M. BURNHAM. 
Alfred M. Burnham, aged 19, shoemaker, was born in Essex, and the son 
of Nathan and Sarah Burnham, He enlisted in June, 1862, for six months, 
and was ordered to Fort Warren ; being attached to the Salem Mechanics' 
Light Infantry, Capt. Staten, and was discharged January 1, 1863, the term 
of service having expired. In something like a year and a half after this 
discharge, he was drafted and paid three hundred dollars commutation. He 
subsequently re-enlisted and was sent first to Galloup's Island, thence to Fort 
Warren, where he remained about one month, and thence to Marblehead, 
where he remained until within twelve days of the expiration of his time. 
During the said twelve days he was again at Galloup's Island. 

JESSE BURNHAM. 

Jesse Burnham, aged 38, is a ship-carpenter and has a wife and two chil- 
dren : born in Gloucester, son of Jesse and Sarah R. Burnham. He enlisted 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIEES. 389 

in the company last above mentioned, and had the same place of destination, 
but was put upon garrison duty. Discharged at expiration of term of service. 

JACOB BARTLETT. 

Jacob Bartlett, aged 21, was born in Salisbury ; shoemaker ; son of Ezekiel 
W. and Elizabeth Bartlett. He enlisted at the same time with the last above 
mentioned for the same term ; had the same destination and was discharged 
at the same time. 

OTIS BURNHAM. 
Otis Burnham, son of Andrew W. and Mary Ann Burnham, was born 
March 15, 1839. He enlisted in June, 1862, in the Salem Mechanics' 
Light Infantry with eleven others, mentioned above and below, and was sta- 
tioned at Fort Warren for six months. On re-enlisting he was stationed a 
part of the time again at Fort Warren, and the remainder of the time at a 
fort in Marblehead. Mr. B's. third enlistment was as one of the one hun- 
dred days' men, to serve in the forts for the defense of Washington, where 
he remained from four to six weeks, and the balance of the time at Fort Dela- 
ware, some forty miles from Philadelphia, and at Readfield. Mr. B. regrets 
that he did not keep a journal of events during his army life, as dates are so 
easily forgotten while the events themselves may be long reinembered. 

JOHN F. GILBERT. 
John F. Gilbert, aged 19, blacksmith, was born in Rockport; son of Wil- 
liam G. and Elizabeth Gilbert. He enlisted for six months, and into the 
same company as the above, ordered to the same place, and was discharged 
at the same time and for the same cause. Re-enlisted in December, 1864, 
and served in forts for coast defence ; discharged at close of the war. 

WEBSTER HOWES. 
Webster Howes, aged 31 years, ship carpenter, was born in Chatham ; 
son of Collins and Rhoda Howes. He enlisted like the former for six months, 
viz., from June, 1862, to January 1, 1863, into the same company, and was 
ordered to Fort Warren for garrison duty and guarding prisoners. 

IRA ANDREWS, JR. 
Ira Andrews, Jr., was the son of Ira and Martha Andrews; age not ob- 
tained. He was one of the Fort Warren soldiers, enlisting and serving and 
being discharged with them. 

EDWARD LOW. 

Edward Low was born in Essex, September 20, 1835, and the son of 
Enoch and Elizabeth McKeen Low. His destination was to Fort Warren. 
Term of enlistment and discharge, the same a^ in the other cases of the Fort 
Warren soldiers. 

WILLIAM n. MCINTIRE. 

William II. Mclntire, son of Nathaniel and Hannah Mclntire, was born 
in Essex, and was 30 years and four months of age when he enlisted. Like 



390 HISTOKT OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

the preceding, he enlisted (July 1, 1862,) for six months, and was ordered 
to Fort Warren. The same general duties devolved on all the above, and 
all were discharged together. 

ALBERT E. LUFKIN. 

Albert E. Lufkin enlisted August 4, 1863, to serve in a fort at Gloucester, 
whore he remained about two months, when he was ordered to the forts in 
the vicinity of Washington. Here he remained until the 17th of September, 
1865. He is the son of Jonathan and Thirza Lufkin. 

GEORGE C. HARDY. 
George C. Hardy, aged 29 years, by trade a machinist, was born in Essex, 
and was the son of Daniel and Mary Hardy; enlisted August, 1861, in 
Company A, Capt. Brewster; Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiment of in- 
fantry. The regiment left Camp Stanton at Lynnfield, October, 1861, for 
Annapolis, Md., and remained until December, 1861, when they were ordered 
to Roanoke Island, thence to Newborn, to Kinston, and subsequently to 
Little Washington. The regiment left the latter place in February, 1863, 
for Morris Island in Charleston harbor, and was in the assault on Fort Wag- 
ner. Mr. H. came home in August, 1863, on thirty days' furlough, which 
was extended ten days on account of his health. He then returned to Folly 
Island, Charleston harbor, and was placed in command of a schooner, to 
carry despatches of the signal corps from Hilton Head to Morris Island. 

HARLAN PAGE BURNHAM. 

Harlan Page Burnham, aged 20 years, born in Essex, was a sailor and 
the son of Zaccheus and Susannah Burnham ; enlisted November 6, 1861, in 
Company E, Capt. Hooper, Twenty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, infantry. Left camp at Readville in December, 1861, for Annapolis, 
Md., and ordered to join Gen. Burnside's command. He was sick three 
months from April, 1862, and again most of the time in 1863. He was not 
in the assault on Fort Wagner, as at first understood, being sick, but was 
ordered to Morris Island and thence to St. Augustine, Fla., where the troops 
remained some four months, after which they were ordered to Jacksonville, 
(Fla.) where they arrived the day before the battle of Olustee. Having here 
done duty as provost guard, they were next ordered to Gloucester Point, opposite 
Yorktown. Mr. Burnham's statement is full of interesting historical events, 
but comes too late to be inserted in full. It will be put upon file for future 
reference. 

WI.LLIAM LUFKIN. 

William Lufkin, aged 57 years, was born in West Gloucester, and had a 
wife and three children. Enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Capt. Cook, 
Thirtieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry ; died of fever in New 
Orleans or vicinity. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIEES. 391 

ZENAS BURNHAM. 
Zenas Barnham, aged 36 years, widower, with one child, by trade a phip 
carpenter, was born in Essex, and was the son of Job and Lydia Burnham. 
He enlisted September 10, 1862, in Company A, Capt. Todd, Nineteenth 
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers ; was in the battle at Ball's Bluff; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate of disability, signed by Dr. E. A. Bradley. 

MOSES COOK. 
Moses Cook was the son of Edward and Ellen Cook, He enlisted in 
Capt. Babson's Company for the defense of the coast; first two months at 
Fort Warren, one month at Galloup's Island, and four months at Marblehead. 
He was enlisted for one year on the one hundred dollar bounty, and was dis- 
charged in seven months, at the end of the war. 

ANDREW FRANK BURNHAM. 
Andrew Frank Burnham was the son of Andrew and Augusta Burnham. 
He enlisted in Capt. Babson's Company for coast defense for one year, on 
the one hundred dollar bounty offer. He was a part of the time at Fort 
Warren, a part of the time at Galloup's Island, and subsequently at Marble- 
head, but was discharged in about seven months, being the close of the war. 

FRANCIS BURNHAM. 

Francis Burnham, son of Nathan and Sally Burnham, aged 23, was born 
in Essex. He enlisted in December, 1864, like the two preceding, for one 
year, for coast defense. Stationed in forts in Boston harbor and vicinity. 
Discharged July 15, 1865. 

OTIS STORY. 

Otis Story was the son of Elisha Story. He enlisted at the same time as 
the three preceding, into the same company, was in the same service, and 
discharged at the same time. 

JOHN E. LEE. 
John E. Lee, aged 23 years, married, shoemaker by trade, was born in 
Essex, and was the son of Zaccheus and Ann Lee. He enlisted December 
1, 1861, in Company C, Capt. Devereux, Nineteenth Regiment Massachu- 
setts Volunteers, for three years, but was discharged from Carver hospital at 
Washington, after remaining there two months, on surgeon's certificate of dis- 
ability, signed by Dr. E. A. Bradley, May 29th, 1862. It should be stated 
that he had a pleurisy fever in the hospital at Poolesville, beginning early in 
March, 1862. He was subsequently removed to the general hospital at 
W^ashington, and from there to Carver's liospital, whence he was discharged 
as above stated. 

HERVEY LUFKIN. 

Hervey Lufkin, son of Thomas and Eliza Lufkin, enlisted in December, 
1864, for one year, in Capt. Babson's Company, for coast defense ; dis- 
charged in seven months, being the close of the war. 



392 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

ROLLINS M. BURNHAM. 

Rollins M. Burnham, son of Zaccheus Burnbam, deceased, and Susannah 
Burnham, was born May 31, 1844, enlisted April 16, 1861, in the First 
Minnesota Regiment, where he was at that time residing. In this regiment 
he served eighteen months, when he was honorably discharged. He subse- 
quently enlisted in the regular army. Nineteenth Regiment, First Battalion, 
Company A, of the United States Infantry, He was in the first Bull Run 
battle in July, 1861, and at Ball's Bluff, and in all Gen. Sherman's battles 
up to the time of leaving Atlanta. 

SAMUEL Q. JONES. 
Samuel Q. Jones was born in Essex, May 22d, 1*840, son of Abraham 
and Mary Jones; by trade a ship-joiner, enlisted October 16, 1861, in the 
Third Massachusetts Cavalry, commonly called Mounted Rifle Rangers. Mr. 
Jones in his own written account, somewhat abridged, says: "Read's 
Mounted Rifle Rangers were got up in 1861, and went into camp at Lowell 
in August. We were encamped at Lowell about one month when orders 
came to break camp and go to Boston, there to take the steamer Constitution 

for Ship Island On our way there we went into Hampton Roads and 

anchored below the fort ; remained there two weeks, and while there saw the 
rebel gun-boat Merrimac come down to Se wall's Point and steam back again." 
It appears from Mr. Jones' statement, that after remaining here to have the 
ship cleaned, they pursued the voyage. On the coast of North Carolina they 
found one of our gun-boats in a damaged condition and towed her back to Hamp- 
ton Roads, and "after forty-two days," says the soldier, "we arrived at the 
place of destination. There had been twenty-five hundred men on board. 
There was but one house on Ship Island at that time, though others have 
been since built. A dreary place for soldiers, though they did not grum- 
ble." After a season of drilling at the Island the troops took transports for 
New Orleans. During the bombardment of Fort Jackson, the transports 
laid some days below the fort ; but proceeded up to the city on the day of 
the surrender. Mr. Jones says it was a grand sight, during the bombardment, 
to see the fire-rafts float down in the night. They were intended by the reb- 
els to float against our vessels and burn them, but in this they were defeated. 
Mr J. says our troops landed in the city on the 1st or 2d of May, 1862. 
He himself was taken sick soon after with chills and chronic diarrhcea, and 
did not expect to recover. He was discharged after being ill about six 
months, although he had been able to be on duty all the time, except about 
one month. The troops were about this time ordered to proceed about ninety 
miles up the river to protect the plantations, and he soon began to recover. 
His weight increased from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty 
pounds in less than two months. In the Spring of 1863, they went through 
the Red River campaign which lasted three months, and were once defeated. 
They were next ordered to join Sheridan in the Valley. This campaign was 
a "tough one." They fought at Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. In this 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF TPIE SOLDIERS. . 393 

last battle Jason Hatch was killed by a ball through his left breast and heart. 
" When I found him," says Mr. Jones, " I wrote his name on a slip of 
paper and pinned it on his pocket. On procuring others to assist in burying 
him, it was found that somebody had done it, but on examination it was found 
he had been buried but one foot deep. We dug a new grave and placed a 
board at the head, with his name, regiment and company." Mr. Jones was 
promoted corporal in 1862, and sergeant in 1863. 

JASON HATCH. 

Jason Hatch was born in Charlestown, Mass., son of Jacob and Sarah 
Hatch. He enlisted as a Rifle Ranger, otherwise called mounted riflemen, 
in the same company with William D. Goose and Samuel Q. Jones, all of 
Essex. He was killed in battle at Cedar Creek. 

GEORGE S. WENTWORTH. 

George S. Wentworth, aged 29 years, married, shoemaker, was born in 
Stoughton, son of Ellis and Mary A. Wentworth. He enlisted August 12, 
1868, in Company E, Capt. Preston, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, 
which joined the Army of the Potomac, and was in the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, under Burnside, also at Antietam and Gettysburg. The regiment was 
subsequently ordered to the Army of the West, in East Tennessee, and was 
at Knoxville in February, 1864. 

ASA STORY. 
Asa Story, son of Michael and Lydia Story, was born in 1829 ; enlisted 
July 26, 1862, in the Massachusetts Thirty-ninth, Col. Davis, and Company 
A, Capt. Nelson. He died of typhus fever, November 11, 1862. His remains 
were brought home and re-interred in about two weeks after his decease. He 
was never in battle. He left a widow to mourn his death. 

WILLIAM D. COOSE. 
William D. Coose, son of William and Polly Coose, was born in Rock- 
port ; was 23 years old when he enlisted in the Third Massachusetts Rifle 
Rangers, October 15, 1861, Capt. S. T. Reads. After remaining at Lowell 
until January, 1862, they were ordered on board the steamer Constitution 
for Ship Island, where they finally arrived, February 8th. After remaining 
there two months they left for New Orleans. They performed escort duty, 
for Gen. Butler about six months. They next went into camp at Carrolton, 
and thence about seventy miles up the river. Here they operated as a scout- 
ing party under Col. Davis, the force consisting of Read's Rangers and three 
other companies. " We whipped the enemy three hundred strong," says 
Mr. Coose, "and burnt five railroad stations." They were in all the Red 
River campaign. He was in the battles at Winchester, September 17 ; at 
Fishersville the 22d ; at Cedar Creek, October 19, and all through the cam- 
paign under Sheridan in the Valley, up to November 19, when he started 

for home. Arrived home November 26, 1864. 
50 



394 . HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

CONSTANTINE BUKNHAM. 

Constantine Bumham, was born in Essex, September 17, 1844 ; son of 
Adoniram and Nancy Bumham. He enlisted December 19, 1863, in Com- 
pany L, Capt. Martin, Second Kegiment Massachusetts, Col. John Frankle, 
heavy artillery. In January 1864, the regiment was ordered to Norfolk, Va. 
In the summer of 1864, he was in the hospital about five weeks with typhoid 
fever. Their next encampment was at Portsmouth, Va., where they were 
drilled four hours daily. He was in the second battle at Kinston, in March, 
1865, where the fighting lasted three days. He was not wounded at all. 
He is understood to have served in the latter part of his time in Company I, 
Capt. John D. Parker. 

WILLIAM A. HASKELL. 
William A. Haskell, aged 33 years, enlisted January, 1864, in Company 
B, Capt. Emory, Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry. He has a wife and three 
children; born in Hamilton, Mass., son of Elias and Sally Ann Haskell. 
Mr. H. was in the same Company with Charles Fields, and he may be said 
to have substantially the same history. 

ALFRED LUFKIN. 

Alfred Lufkin, aged 30 years, was the son of Josiah and Mehitable Luf- 
kin. He was born in Essex, shoemaker by trade ; has a wife and one child ; 
enlisted August 5th, in the Eleventh Unattached Company of Heavy Artil- 
lery, stationed at the fort, at Eastern Point, Gloucester. 

PRINCE A. ANDREWS. 

Prince A. Andrews, was the son of Obed and Ruth Andrews. He en- 
listed into the Second Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. Gordon, and from the 
trifling and imperfect information obtained, it can now only be known that he 
was mustered out on the 28th of May, 1864. 

RUFUS ANDREWS. 
Eufus Andrews, aged 33 years, shoemaker, was the son of Ira and Martha 
Andrews, and has a wife and two children. He enlisted August 5, 1863, in 
the last named Eleventh Unattached Company of Heavy Artillery, stationed 
in the fort at Eastern Point, Gloucester. 

WILLIAM HOWE BURNHAM. 
William Howe Bumham, son of Winthrop Burnham, was born in Essex, 
April 8, 1840. He enlisted November 27, 1861, into Company H, Capt. 
Devereaux, Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers. This company left the 
State, December 10th, and arrived at Philadelphia, at ten o'clock on 
the evening of the same day. On the 13th of December, they were or- 
dered up the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to Muddy Branch Locks, Md., 
where they joined the regiment, which regiment formed a part of the Corps 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 395 

of observation on the upper Potomac. The following Winter was spent in 
drilling and doing guard duty until the 11th of March. Marching orders 
were received at that time, when the regiment to which Mr. Burnham was 
attached joined the brigade and proceeded up the canal to Harper's Ferry. 
The march was continued the same day of arriving there, to Charlestown, Va., 
where they encamped in an oak grove adjoining the field where John Brown 
was hung. There was much marching and counter-marching until the 24th 
of March, when they were ordered to take the cars and proceed to Washing- 
ton. The troops encamped just back of the Capitol until the 28th, when 
they proceeded to Fortress Monroe, and thence on the march to Hampton, 
where Gen. McClellan was encamped with one hundred thousand strong. On 
the 4th of April, they marched up the Peninsula to Big Bethel, and thence 
to Yorktown the next day. They were under fire for the first time on the 
7th of April, losing, however, but one man killed and two wounded. They 
remained in front of Yorktown until its evacuation .by the rebels, on the 3d 
of May. 

Mr. Burnham's statements are full, explicit and interesting, but somewhat 
more voluminous than the already swollen size of the book will warrant us in 
inserting. He (Mr. B.) was discharged from the service on the 11th of 
March, 1863. The following is a synopsis of his service in the army : en- 
tered and discharged as above stated : April 7, 1861, in skirmish at York- 
town ; April 7th, to 4th May, at the siege of Yorktown ; May 7th, in the bat- 
tle at West Point ; June 25th, at Fair Oaks ; June 29th, at the battles at 
Orchard Station and Savage's Station; June 30th, at Glendale ; July 1, at 
Malvern Hills. 

JOHN B. BUKNHAM. 

John B. Burnham, aged 23 years, shoemaker, was born in Essex, and 
was the son of Nathan and Sarah Burnham. He enlisted in November, 
1861, in Capt. Devereaux's Company H, of the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
infantry. He was in the battle at Fair Oaks, and was taken prisoner during 
the seven days' battle on the Peninsula, and carried to Eichmond where he 
was held until paroled. An exchange of prisoners was effected about the 
first of September, and he was ordered to report himself at the camp in 
Readville. 

JAMES FREDERIC HASKELL. 
James Frederic Haskell, farmer, was born in Essex ; son of Enoch and 
Nancy Haskell. He enlisted on the 19th of October, 1861, into Com- 
pany I, Twenty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry. He died on board 
the Suwannee steamer, on the 3d of February, 1862, and was buried at 
sea. His disease was measles and inflammation of the lungs. His age was 
19 years, 7 months, and 21 days. Young and more ardent and aspiring 
than was generally supposed, unexpectedly to all, he sought the battle-field. 
Short was the march of this youthful hero. In one hundred and seven days 
from the time of his enlistment, of disease contracted in the army, " he slept 
the sleep that knows no waking." 



396 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

WILLIAM A. ANDREWS. 

William A. Andrews, aged 15 years, was born in Essex, shoemaker, son 
of William Allen A. and Esther B. Andrews. He enlisted December 2, 
1861, in Company H, Capt. Devereaux, Nineteenth Regiment Massachu- 
setts Volunteers, infantry. He was in the battles of the Peninsula, and 
was wounded on the 30th of June, 1862, in the battle of White Oak 
Swamp, and has not been heard from up to this time (February, 1864) ; 
is supposed to have died of his wound. 

HENRY C. MEAKS. 
Henry C. Mears, aged 1 5 years, farmer, was the son of Samuel and Sarah 
Ann Mears; born in Essex. He enlisted in 1861, served thirteen months, 
and was then discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability. He how- 
ever re-enlisted, October 1, 1863, in the Second Regiment Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery, Col. Prankle, in Company B, Capt. N. B. Fuller. He 
was appointed corporal upon his re-enlistment, and the regiment was ordered 
to Fort Macon, N. C. 

GEORGE COGSWELL. 

George Cogswell was born in Essex, March 12, 1827 ; parents, John and 
Lucretia Cogswell. He enlisted December 9, 1864, for one year, into the 
Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, unattached. Ordered to Galloup's Island, nine 
miles down Boston Harbor, and thence to Fort Warren, where they were 
drilled until the 20th of February following, under Capt. Fitz J. Babson, 
thence to Fort Miller in Marblehead, and subsequently to Fort Glover under 
Lieut. Dunn. Mr. C. was taken sick at Fort Miller, and remained so from 
the 15th of February till the 1st of March. He was mustered out in 
July, 1865. 

ANCILL K. BUTMAN. 

Ancill K. Butman, aged 41 years, shoemaker ; was born in Essex, son of 
John and Hepzibah Butman. He enlisted December 2, 1861, in Capt. Dever- 
eaux's Company H, Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry. He 
was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability from Chesapeake hospi- 
tal, Fortress Monroe, on the 3d of November, 1862. His disease was 
rheumatism. 

WILLIAM H. H. BURNHAM. 

William H. H. Burnham, aged 22 years, was born in West Gloucester. 
He enlisted in February, 1862, in Company L, Capt. Andrews, Fourteenth 
Regiment, Heavy Artillery. He was detailed as major's orderly; discharged 
January 5, 1864, on a surgeon's certificate of disability. His disease was 
fever and ague. He was in no battle. 

WILLIAM H. HATDEN. 

William H. Hayden, aged 21 years, was born in Stoughton ; son of 
Luther and>Sarah Ann Hayden. He enlisted in April, 1861, into Capt. 
Todd's Company A, Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers. He was in the 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 397 

battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, and Fredericksburg, also the seven days', 
fight on the Peninsula under Gen. McClellan. He was detailed as Gen. 
Stone's orderly, and at length was taken sick and discharged on a surgeon's 
certificate of disability, March 10, 1863. 

AARON HERBERT STORY. 
Aaron Herbert Story, aged 17 years, was the son of Aaron and Aurelia 
Story. He enlisted October 21, 1861, in the Twenty-third Massachusetts 
Volunteers, Company B, Capt. Martin. On the 21st of November, 18G3, 
we find him stationed at Newport News, Va. He was subsequently made 
Fife Major in the regiment of Col. Kurtz, where he is understood to have 
remained until his discharge, October 13, 1864. 

DAVID E. CLIFFORD. 

David E. Clifford, aged 37 years, was born in Salem, son of Peter and 
Hannah Clifford. He enlisted on the 26th of June, 1861, for three years, 
in Company E, Capt. Allen, Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers, and was or- 
dered to join Gen. Banks at Harper's Ferry. He was in the battle of Cedar 
Mountain on the 8th of August, 1862, and at Bull Eun on the 30th of the 
same month. He lost a finger in this battle and was sent to the Caspar Hos- 
pital, Seventh street, Washington. Here he remained about ten days, and 
was then sent to the hospital at corner of Bond and Cherry streets, Philadel- 
phia, where he remained until the 15th of December, 1862, when he was 
discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability. 

EDWARD EVERETT McINTIRE. 

Edward Everett McTntire, aged 18 years, shoemaker, was born in Essex; 
son of Nathaniel and Hannah Mclntire. He enlisted the 2d of December, 
1861, in Company C, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, Capt, Pratt. 
They were ordered to join Gen. Burnside's brigade, and were in the battles 
at Eoanoke Island and Newbern, and also in the assault of Fort Wagner, 
July 15, 1863. He was in the hospital but once, and that but for a short 
time. In addition to the battles above specified Mr. Mclntire was at Kins- 
ton and Goldsboro' in 1862, and went with his regiment to St. Augustine, 
Florida, early in October, 1863. 

Mr. Mclntire states verbally, that by far the severest fighting which he 
saw during his three years in the army, was at Newbern. This battle it will 
be recollected occurred in 1862. He afterwards re-enlisted and was stationed 
in difterent forts for coast defense in the vicinity of Boston. 

MONSIEUR M. ANDREWS. 

Monsieur M. Andrews, aged 24 years, by trade a shoemaker, was the son 
of Benjamin and Lydia Andrews; enlisted 31st of December, 1861, into 
the Thirtieth Regiment, Company K. Mr. Andrews was never wounded, 
but suffered from sickness severely. He was attacked with typhoid fever 
on reaching New Orleans, which disqualified him from active service for two 



398 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

■months, comTnencing about the 10th or 12th of May, 1862. His second 
attack of illness was about the 1st of June, 1863, His ailment was chronic 
diarrhoea, the bane of the army under a southern sun and lying too often 
upon a southern soil. This attack lasted four months, and was the cause of 
his discharge. He was, however, more than a merely passive sufferer by the 
war. On the 5th of August, 1862, he was in a battle about half a mile in 
the rear of the State House at Baton Rouge. This occurred shortly after re- 
turning from Vicksburg, where they were, about the 1st of August. The 
battle near the State House, referred to, lasted, about eight hours. ^' We 
had," says he verbally, "but about two thousand five hundred men; and 
more than one in ten were sick ; in our company nearly half. The spies in- 
formed the rebels of the sickness among our soldiers, and this induced them, 
with five thousand effective men under Gen. J. C. Breckinridge, to attack 
us. We contended successfully with them for eight hours and drove them. 
This, however, was owing to the fact that we had artillery in which they were 
deficient, viz : The Fourth Massachusetts Battery, the Sixth Massachusetts 
Battery, Nims' Battery, and the First Maine. The fight commenced at three 
o'clock in the morning We lost about seventy killed and two hundred and 
fifteen wounded ; and the rebels left three hundred dead and seventy 
wounded on the field. The rebels had expected the co-operation of their 
river ram, Arkansas, but she had run aground six miles above, and was hors 
de combat. They had, however, some fourteen field pieces, but our batteries 
did excellent service. Gen. Thomas was killed with a xifle ball through the 
head. The rebels lost their Brig. Gen. Clarke, and his aid, Col. Lovell, 
also Capt. A. H. Todd, a brother of Mrs. Lincoln, wife of the President of 
the United States. We also captured thirty prisoners." Mr. Andrews re- 
enlisted in December, 1864, for one year, for coast defense, in Capt, Bab- 
son's company, but was discharged at the close of the war. 

GEORGE ROSS. 
George Ross, born in Ipswich, February 18, 1817, was the son of Samuel 
Ross ; enlisted in the Tliirtieth Massachusetts Regiment, Company K. This 
regiment was at first under command of Lieut.-Col. Joseph H. French. 
Mr. Ross enlisted for three years, and was mustered in at Lowell. They 
sailed from Boston in the Constellation, and after a voyage of thirty-three 
days, says the soldier, with some detention at Fortress Monroe, they arrived 
at Ship Island. After a detention of five or six weeks, they proceeded to the 
Mississippi River. At the time of their arrival at Ship Island, it may be 
stated, the United States fleet of gun-boats and mortar-boats was lying there ; 
each of the latter carrying one mortar and two guns, and there were, he 
says, twenty of them, all moved by sails, being of eighty to one hundred 
tons burthen. This fleet preceded the troops, there being some eighteen to 
twenty thousand of the latter, up the Mississippi to the capture of Fort Jack- 
son, which took place after a bombardment of about six days. They were 
afterwards landed at New Orleans, and quartered in a large sugar store and 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIEKS. 399 

other large buildings. The place for drilling was an immense building, he 
thinks an Odd Fellows' Hall, well-carpeted ; here they remained some two 
months, being drilled twice a day. In July they proceeded to Baton Eouge 
and thence to Vicksburg, soon after which he was taken sick ; it proved to 
be an epidemic among the troops. Of one hundred and one men in this com- 
pany, only eighteen, he says, were fit for duty. On the authority of the 
Gloucester (Mass.) newspaper, it may be stated, there were but one hun- 
dred and thirty-two in the whole regiment fit for duty. Mr. Ross states that 
during the progress of his fever, his hearing, which had long been imperfect, 
became for the time entirely lost, so that his discharge was on that account, 

GEOEGE ROSS, JR. 
George Ross, Jr., was the son of the foregoing. Although he enlisted on 
the Rockport quota, yet as he had lived with his father in Essex, he seems 
entitled to notice with our soldiers. His march was, like far too many others, 
a short one. He was drowned while lying ofi" Fort Jackson. He seems to 
have stepped upon one side of a small boat which tipped, and as is be- 
lieved, he went over backwards, and being heavily equipped, sunk to the 
bottom before his father's eyes ; though no one at the time knew who it was. 
He was 18 years old, and was married a short time before enlisting. 

RUFUS E. MEAES. 
Rufus E. Mears was the youngest son of Samuel and Lydia Mears, and 
was 21 years old when he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Regiment, Company A, 
under Col. P. S. Davis and Capt. George S. Nelson. He was in the battles 
of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda 
Church and Petersburg. He was taken prisoner at the Weldon Railroad, 
August 18, 1864, and died in a rebel prison at Salisbury, October 26, 1864. 

DANIEL BURNIIAM. 

Daniel Burnhara, aged 30 years, shoemaker ; son of Nimrod and Susan 
Burnham ; was born in Essex ; enlisted, August 15, 1862, for three years, 
in the Thirty ninth Regiment, Col. Davis, Company A, Capt. Nelson, and 
was mustered in at Camp Stanton, at Boxford. Mr. B. left Boxford with 
the regiment on the 6th of September, 1862, and arrived at Washington 
city on the 8th ; marched to Arlington Heights on the 9th, and three days 
afterwards moved to camp Chase. The regiment marched for Edward's 
Ferry, on the 14th of September, where they arrived on the I7th, and here, 
on the banks of the Potomac, Mr. B. was first put on picket duty, and on 
the night of the 22d, the troops were called out to stop the rebels from cross- 
ing. October 1st, the regiment was sent to Conrad's Ferry, and on the 
6th, was again ordered up the river, to prevent another threatened crossing. 
On the 12th, they were marched to Seneca's Mills, and on the 21st to big 
Muddy Branch. After remaining awhile at the cross roads, they marched to 
Poolesville on the 21st of December. Here the regiment remained until 
the 15th of April, when they again marched to Washington. During 



400 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

this march the rain fell heavily, and the mud was in full character 
with itself in a Virginia soil. The progress on the l.^th was but seventeen 
miles. At Rockville, where the encampment was made, the rain continued 
through the night, the clothes of the soldiers being wet through, of course. 
On the next day the progress was still less, viz., but fifteen miles. The 
weather continued stormy, and the mud, if possible, deeper than before. On 
the 17th, they made but five miles. Washington seems not to have been 
reached till the 18th of April, when this soldier went on guard, at the army 
headquarters, near Gen. Halleck's office. Four hundred of the regiment 
were now detailed at different parts in the city, for provost duty. 

The troops, or a portion of them were allowed to see the lions of the Fed- 
eral city, of course having themselves been " the observed of all observers." 
On the 6th of May, says Mr. Burnham, in a letter to the writer, " I had a 
pass to go round the city ; went into the Capitol, Patent Office, Smithsonian 
Institute and President's house. Mr. B. kept a journal up to this date, at 
least, from which the above extracts have been made. 

A short description given by Mr. Burnham, of the morals of the Essex 
soldiers in the Thirty-ninth, Company A, in a letter dated 8th of September, 
1862, from Eappahannock station, is so honorable to them that it is tran- 
scribed entire. After speaking of Sabbath-breaking and other enormitiefe in 
the army, he says : " With great pleasure I can assure you that the Essex 
boys respect our meetings, and enjoy the religious privileges which we have, 
and none of them talce any part in the open profanity which prevails in the 
army to such a great extent ; and this for one thing does me good and com- 
forts me in what I always believe the unspeakable blessing of a Sabbath 
School education." On turning to the records of the largest Sabbath School 
in Essex, it is perceived that nine out of the fourteen soldiers in the Thirty- 
ninth, had been members of that Sabbath school. Mr. Burnham was killed 
in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6th, 1864. 

WILLIAM GILBERT DODGE. 

William Gilbert Dodge, aged 15 years, was born in Essex ; son of Moses 
and Sally Dodge, both deceased. He enlisted August, 1862, in Company 
G, Capt. Trull, Thirty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry ; 
ordered from Camp Stanton, Lynnfield to Virginia. This regiment had 
been in no battles down to February, 1864, but was generally on the march ; 
stationed in camp near Mitchell's Station, Virginia, at the latter date above. 

DAVID LEWIS STORY. 
David Lewis Story, shoemaker, aged 19 years, was born in Essex, son 
of David Story, 2d, and Susan Story; enlisted August, 1862, in Company 
K, Capt. E. L. Giddings, Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, in- 
fantry. They were ordered to join the army of the Potomac and afterwards 
sent to Folly Island, Charleston harbor, and from that place to Hilton Head. 
The regiment had been in no battles up to February, 1864. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 401 

Statements like this last, however, will not apply to the subsequent his- 
tory of this distinguished regiment. It elevates the sensibilities of any 
inhabitant of Essex to know that Essex " boys " belonged to it. Unlike 
many others, this regiment served a part of the time as mounted infantry and 
was detailed to the column intended to operate in Florida. Here, indeed, it 
served in that capacity, bearing its part in all the conflicts in which the 
Fortieth was engaged, especially (as Essex men are pleased to know) at 
Olustee, February 20, 18G4, and at Cedar Creek, March 1, 1864; our 
idea being that leaden balls have seldom rained as they rained there. And 
it is most gratifying to add in the words of Adj. Gen. Schouler's report, 
made January, 1866, that "too much cannot be said of the men composing 
this regiment. There never was a case of desertion to the enemy, says the 
report, and though often under the most trying fire, and called into duties 
deemed almost impossible, yet it can never be said that the Fortieth ever 
run, or even showed the white feather." 

The following extracts of a letter from this soldier at a much earlier stage 
of the war, to his young brother, are introduced to show that our soldiers, 
although often but young and inexperienced, were still by no means discon- 
tented or unhajjpy when away, and even amidst the perils of war. He dates 
at Camp Ethan Allen, September 26th, 1862 : " Dear brother, I have just 
come in from the woods and thought you would like to hear from me. About 
four hundred of us have been out into the woods, detailed to cut down trees, 
and you better believe we have cut some. There are so many detailed from 
every company, and they have been at work now for about three days. They 
let the trees remain just where they happened to fall. The reason for cutting 
them is partly because they obstruct our view of the rebels, and partly that the 
trees may obstruct their march. The woods belong to the rebel Gen. Lee, and 
his house is right in sight of the woods. They estimate the wood we have cut 
at twelve hundred cords, and it is the very best kind. Our living is good,' 
much better than it was at Boxford. We have been expecting an attack by the 
rebs every night since we have been here. The place was taken from them 
about one year ago, and there are graves all round back of the hill. We have 
picked up lots of balls," etc. Want of room forbids making further extracts. 

TIMOTHY ANDREWS, JR. 

Timothy Andrews, Jr., was born in Essex, May 7, 1829 ; spar-maker by 
trade; son of Timothy and Susan P. Andrews. Enlisted August 18, 1862, 
in Company A, Capt. Nelson, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, infantry. Went first to Camp Cameron, and thence to Boxford at Camp 
Stanton. The regiment was first ordered to Poolesville, Maryland, thence 
to Harper's Ferry, and thence to Washington, where the Thirty-niutli were 
on guard for some time. They were afterwards ordered again to Harper's 
Ferry and Hagerstowu. On the 15th of Decendier IMr. Andrews was de- 
tailed on the ammunition train. It was at Poolesville that he slept his first 
sleep upon the bare ground, and it would not have been very surprising if 



402 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

it had proved his last. A rain came on in the night, so that when they 
awolce, the water was some three inches deep around them, yet so deep had 
been their sleep from fatigue, that they knew nothing of it till morning ! 
Mr. A. was appointed by the Colonel to go to Washington for horses, and 
the character of his army life was now so far changed that his time was 
chiefly spent at regimental headquarters at first, and afterwards he was made 
carpenter at brigade headquarters. After marching to Poolesville on the 21st 
of December, his first duty was the erection of a hospital for the sick. In 
January following he was ordered for the third time to Washington for another 
supply of horses and mules. The 19th of August, 1864, was a disastrous day 
for the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, losing in two days, as they did, 
two hundred and forty men, killed, wounded and prisoners. After this date, 
Mr. Andrews' duties were chiefly in the ordnance office as an assistant clerk 
under Capt. Trembly of the One Hundred and Fourth New York Volunteers. 
The compiler of this chapter regrets the small amount of space assigned 
to the sketch of this soldier. By far the most important and interesting page 
of his army life has come to hand at so late a day, (dated December 21, 18G7,) 
that to make room for it within these limits, is utterly impossible. It will go 
upon file with much other unpublished though important matter, and remain 
for future reference. 

GEORGE F. BURNHAM. 
George F. Burnham, aged 27 years, shoemaker, born in Essex, son of Silas 
and Sarah Burnham ; enlisted July, 1862, in the Thirty-ninth Eegiment 
Massachusetts Volunteers, Co. A, Col. P. S. Davis; mustered into the United 
States service August 20th, at Camp Stanton, Lynnfield. They were ordered 
to Washington and were on guard duty for some time. On the 24th of De- 
cember, 1863, they were in camp at Mitchell's Station. Mr. B. was in the 
battles of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Gravelly Run and Five Forks. 
He was wounded at Spottsylvania May 8, 1864, and was then sent to Washing- 
ton where he remained until September. He was discharged in June, 1865. 

JOHN C. CHANNEL. 

John C. Channel enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Regiment, Col. P. S. Davis, 
Company A, Capt. Nelson. For a full description of the operations of this 
regiment, reference may be had to the sketches of Albert A. Haskell, Daniel 
Burnham, Willbur Burnham, and Asa Story, all of whom died in the 
service or were killed, also to the sketches of George Washington Burnham, 
James Horace Burnham and others who survived. Mr. Channel was dis- 
charged for disability under his enlistment, and afterwards was drafted, but 
exempted on account of disability. 

GEORGE F. GUPPY. 
George F. Guppy was born in Rochester, N. H ; son of Samuel and Phi- 
lenia Guppy; enlisted August 15, 1862, in the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts 
Volunteers, Col. P. S. Davis, Company A. He was discharged at an early 
date, on a surgeon's certificate of disability. 



1861— 18G5.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 403 

ALBERT A. HASKELL. 

Albert A. Haskell, was born February 12, 1843 ; son of Francis and 
Mary K. Haskell. He enlisted in July or August 1862, in Company A, 
Capt. Nelson, Thirty-ninth IMassachusetts Volunteers, infantry, Col. P. S. 
Davis. The regiment left camp at Boxford for Washington, September 6th, 
remained there and at Poolesville during the winter and spring. Left Wash- 
ington for Harper's Ferry and Hagarstown in May, 1863, and joined the army 
of the Potomac, and were held in reserve at the attack on Fredericksburg, 
under Gen. Meade, after which time they were in camp at Mitchell's Station, 
until the latter part of April, 1864. As the history of this regiment is like 
others, minutely described by Adjt. Gen. Schouler in his admirable reports, 
it seems unnecessary here to go much beyond the personal history of the sol- 
dier. The circumstances of his capture as a prisoner took place on the 18th 
of August, 1864. From the letters written by him to his friends, a few in- 
cidents may be gathered to relieve the dullness of statistics. On the day of 
Col. Davis' death, July 11, 1864, Mr. H. writes thus: "I am very sorry 
lio write that Col. Davis was wounded by a shell very badly. I am afraid 
it will prove fatal. He was wounded through ttie thigh, tearing one leg ter- 
ribly. He will be missed very much in the regiment. The boys feel very 
bad about it." 

In a previous letter of June 3, 1864, he says "I have been up to the First 
Massachusetts, this forenoon. They are on the same line as ourselves, but 
their time is out to-morrow and I suppose they will leave us. I tell you it 
makes a fellow feel a little homesick sometimes, to see the men going home, 
right to our own homes, and we can't go ourselves; but our time will come 
after awhile, and if we live, happier will be the meeting," a hope alas ! 
never to be realized ; and as showing that he had a full appreciation of the 
dangers of army life, he says in the same letter: " Our regiment has four- 
teen months from to-morrow and what there is left of us on that day will be 
happy boys;" a hope as deceptive as the former; and again he says, "we 
have advanced the main line, since I last wrote home, about a quarter of a 
mile, and built new works." The following incident reminds one of a few 
similar events that occurred in the Revolutionary war, and takes away the idea 
oi personal hatred, even among hostile troops. "A week ago to-day, the 
pickets that were out, made an agreement not to fire upon each other, unless 
one or the other advanced. After that, they got to trading our hard tack for 
their corn bread — coffee for tobacco, &c., but the officers stopped it. Now 
we hoot at each other a little, but not a gun is fired ; while on our 
right, where we were about ten days ago, they keep up a firing all the 
time." Mr H. describes the military works erected by them, and in. 
serts a drawing of them made by himself which ought to have a place in 
this sketch, as showing his native tact in delineating objects presented to 
the eye. 

The dreadful process of starvation in the case of this youthful soldier, 



404 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

lasted one hundred and sisty-pix days, ending only with his life on the 31st 
of January, 1865. Some of the details of the horrors of Salisbury prison, 
will be found in the sketch of George Washington Burnham, a fellow- 
prisoner of Mr. Haskell, but who survived. By a memorandum furnished 
by surviving friends, it appears that he was taken prisoner of war, at the 
battle of the Weldon Eailroad, was thence carried to Libby prison, thence 
to Belle Island, and finally to Salisbury prison, where he died at the time 
above stated. The Wilderness, Weldon Eailroad, and Petersburg, were the 
principal battles in which he fought. 

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY SARGENT. 

Oliver Hazard Perry Sargent, aged 34, was born in Gloucester ; ship 
carpenter. He enlisted at Essex, in the Twenty-second Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers, Company G, in October, 1862, the headquarters of which were at 
Camp Wilson, Hall's Hill, Va. Mr. Sargent, like several others from 
Essex, was an easy and ready writer, and kept his friends constantly informed 
of army movements, both great and small. The following extracts of a let- 
ter from him while at Hall's Hill, in Gen. Fitz John Porter's division, will 
give an idea of his talent at description, and will also convey an idea of army 
life, under date of February 17, 1862. 

" My Dear Sir : I have no doubt you have found the exact position of Hall's 
Hill, near which we are encamped. Draw upon the map a straight line from 
Chain Bridge to Munson's Hill, and from Ball's cross-roads to Miner's Hill.. 
The lines will cross at Hall's Hill. Col. Cass, with the Ninth Massachusetts, is 
immediately in our front, with the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, Fourteenth New 
York, Fourth Michigan, the Fourth Rhode Island Battery and Griffin's Battery 
(Regulars), composing Morale's Brigade. Near us on Hall's Hill, are the 
Second Maine, Eighteenth Massachusetts, Follet's Battery, and Twenty fifth 
New York, composing with our regiment, Martindale's or the Second Brigade. 
Near us on the other side, is the Seventeenth New York, and in our rear the 
Forty-fouj-th New York, Sixty-third Pennsylvania, and the New Jersey 
Stockton Regiment, and on Mount Olivet, a little farther in the rear, the 
Fifth Massachusetts Battery, composing Gen. Butterfield's Brigade. In ad- 
dition to these are two cavalry regiments just in our rear, one from Pennsyl- 
vania, the other (McClellan's Rangers) from Kentucky, altogether composing 
Gen. Porter's division It is a grand army. I have seen seventy- 
five thousand men on one field since I have been here, and on several 

occasions have seen reviews of forty thousand Col. Wilson was out 

to see us yesterday, and told us we had only to wait for the traveling. Two 
long trains of artillery are in Washington ready to move. One of the trains 
has one hundred sixty-eight pound cannon ; the other has one hundred 
one-hundred pound cannon. In addition to these, there are several batteries 
of light artillery and two hundred wagons loaded with ammunition. The 
army has been building a road from Georgetown to Alexandria and Lees- 
burg turnpike. It is done by laying logs at the bottom and covering thera 



1861-1865.1 



O. H. P. SARGENT. 405 



■with poles and dirt. It is rough, but it keeps us out of the mud. Before 
this road was built our wheels sank to the hubs. It was awful. The 
worst thing I have seen in the army, is the management in the hospital de- 
partment. Every morning the sick are marched up to the hospital tent, and 
obliged to wait, out of doors, in the open air, whatever the weather may be. 
It is strange that no more are sick, or that any recover. The sick are well 
cared for when really in the hospital ; and yet I pity any man who is sick 
here. Another curious matter is the method of punishment adopted. It is 
often ridiculous. Think of a boy carrying a barrel on his shoulders with his 
head through a hole in the head of the barrel, and ' thief,' perhaps, written 
on the side. I saw a boy thus at work for three days, from reveille to tattoo, 
stopping only to get dinner, until he fell from exhaustion. The lieutenant 
in charge would not let any one pick him up. I took the boy up, and told 
the lieutenant to make his charges if he pleased. I have heard nothing from it 
since. The ball and chain is a common mode of punishment. I have seen 
a great many men at work on the roads and fortifications, with a six pound 
ball attached to one end of a six foot chain, the other being round the prison- 
er's leg. Other modes of punishment are, carrying a log, the gag, cutting 

down the pay, shaving one side of the head and knapsack drill I 

am in* the Quartermaster's department, and have charge of all the teams, 
twenty-five in number. I ride about the country more than any man in the 

camp Our Capt , Jesse A. Gove, is a captain in the regulars and 

has been for ten years. He had command of one thousand men in Utcih, 
and took on eight hundred and fifty of them when he came here. He is a 
fine officer." 

But Mr. Sargent has passed away by the undiscriminating fate of war. 
As he filled a somewhat larger space in the public eye at home, however, 
than soldiers often do, it will surprise no one to find one leaf more bestowed 
upon him here, than there would otherwise have been. He was made an 
orphan at the age of nine, his father having died in 1832, and his mother in 
1836. We find him an apprentice to Mr. Ezra Perkins, senior, of Essex, 
when ten years old, beginning work at the shoemaking trade. At the dis- 
trict school he was a diligent scholar. Books were among his dearest com- 
panions, and yet many avenues to knowledge seemed to open before him, 
as they always will where the love of it is strong. It is believed there 
were few lessons recited even by classes to which ho did not belong, to which 
he had not an open ear. Few were the teacher's remarks, especially at a 
general or miscellaneous exercise, which he did not hear and remember. 
In looking over his life-long diary of little short of fifteen hundred folio 
pages, in two large ledger volumes, there is most conclusive evidence of 
the truth of the above remark. He has been known to remark that his 
school teacher at Essex once recommended the keeping of a journal, to liis 
scholars, but who could have anticipated such a result as this ? The keep- 
ing of this journal, it is believed, was never intermitted, and it enables 
us to account for his self-culture, for his close thinking and mental train- 



406 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

ing generally. He would seem to have adopted Dr. Franklin's rule for the 

farmer : 

" Plough deep, while sluggards sleep, 
And you shall have corn to sell and to keep." 

As a m.ember of the village debating club, he distinguished himself at 
at once. He saw with ease how error could be assailed and truth defended ; 
and his flow of language was ready and happy. Notwithstanding the ob- 
scurity of his beginning in Essex, Mr. Sargent was not slow to find his true 
level among our young men. He was called to preside at the annual town 
meeting when but almost a youth, and shortly after, he was made both town 
and parish clerk, and his records had the public approval, as appears from 
the fact that he continued to fill both ofiices, till he laid them down to obey 
what he believed to be his country's call. Mr. Sargent represented the 
town in general court in 1857, was one of the special county commissioners 
till he surrendered his commission on going into the army. He was a justice 
of the peace for several years, and held his commission till he died. Various 
other ofSces also, he was called upon from time to time to fill, a fact showing 
how well he stood in the estimation of the public. 

But the object of this appendix to the town history, compels us to confine 
ourselves to the soldiers as soldiers, and here we must leave him " alone in 
his glory." 

SIMEON SWETT. 

Simeon Swett enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Massachusetts, Col. John 
Kurtz, and in 1864 was under the command of Col. A. Elwell. The personal 
history of this volunteer is not known to the compiler at the present date, 
December 30, 1867. 

WILLIAM P. HASKELL. 

William P. Haskell enlisted June, 1862 in the Fourteenth Massachusetts 

Volunteers, Company A, Capt. Shatswell. It is painful to commence a sketch 

of the soldiers of the regiment named above, with a record of death; yet 

such is the Divine appointment. William P. Haskell died at Fort Albany on 

the 6th of January, 1862, at the early age of 17, of disease contracted in the 

army, viz. : erysipelas in his left side. The following letter from Lieut. Smith 

contains the sad details : 

Fort Albany, Va., January 6, 1862. 

Mrs. Haskell, — Dear Madam: It becomes my painful duty, this morn- 
ing, to inform you of the sudden and unexpected death of your son William 
P. Haskell. He had been sick but four days and none of us thought him so 
near his end. Yet 'tis even so. Death has snatched another of our com- 
rades from our midst, and deeply do we mourn his loss. He was ever will- 
ing to perform his duties, was alway kind and obliging and cheerful. Little 
did we think he would so soon be called from us. His sickness was erysip- 
elas ; it spread all over his left side and looked badly. The doctor said it 
was impossible to send the body home ; that it must be buried here for he 
turned so fast ; otherwise we should have sent it home. He was buried this 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 407 

morning near Fort Albany. He had the company as an escort, and a cnr- 
poral's guard fired over his grave. A prayer was made by our chaplain, and 
the funeral procession moved to the grave. Peace to his ashes ! He was a 
kind, brave and good boy, and a true soldier. He had three dollars in 
money in his pocket, which I send you by William Burnhani, and the rest of 
his things we will save for you. Deeply sympathizing with you in the loss of 
your son, I trust his death may be sanctified to you and yours. I am, dear 
madam, yours most truly, J. C. Smith, 

• First Lieut. Com'iVg Co. A., Fourteenth Mass. Regiment. 

STEPHEN P. ANDREWS. 

Stephen P. Andrews, aged 25 years, son of Eleazer and Judith Andrews, 
enlisted June 8, 1862, in Company A, Capt.' Shatswell, Fourteenth Massa. 
chusetts Volunteers. His regiment was afterwards made a heavy artillery 
regiment, designated as the Massachusetts First and was stationed in the forts 
in the vicinity of Washington up to February, 1864, or later. He was pro- 
moted Corporal, October 22, 1862, and came home on a furlough of thiity 
days November 11, 1863, having re-enlisted for three years. He took part 
in the following named battles, viz : at Spottsylvania Court House, May 19th; 
at North Anna River, May 23d ; at Salem Church, June 2d ; at Cold Har- 
bor, June 4th and 5th ; near Petersburg, June 16th. He was wounded in 
his right shoulder, but returned to duty December 4th. On the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1865, he was promoted Sergeant. In addition to the battles above 
named, he was also in battle on the 5th of February and 25th of March near 
Hatcher's Run, and on the 31st of March, at South Side Railroad, and was 
wounded in his right hand. Discharged at Philadelphia, Pa., June 19, 
1865, by reason of a gun-shot wound received in battle, after a term of ser- 
vice of three years, eleven months and fifteen days. 

DAVID BRAINARD BURNHAM. 
David Brainard Burnham, mason by trade, was born in Essex, and was 
the son of John S. and Clarissa Burnham. He enlisted August 14, 1862, 
in Company E, Capt. Sawyer, in the Fourteenth Massachusetts Volunteer.-, 
infantry. Ten other Essex men were enlisted about the same time into the 
same regiment, viz. : William II. Hull, Osgood E. Burnham, Albert F. 
Buinham, J. J. Parsons, Charles A. Burnham, John S. Jones, J. Frank 
Hart, Joseph W. Tucker, H. Nelson Andrews and Jeremiah Poland, Jr. 
They were ordered to Camp Cameron, in Caml)ridge, to wait for the filling 
up of the regiment. They finally left for Washington, August 18, 1862, 
and arrived there on the 20th, On the day of their arrival there, they were 
marched over the long bridge and stationed in different forts on Arlington 
Heights. While at Fort Albany, the above named Essex men were so 
divided and disposed of as to fill the vacancies in different companies. D. 
B. Burnham, W. H. Hull, A. F. Burnham, 0. E, Burnhani and J. J. Par- 
sons were attached to Company E, and the remaining six to Company A. 



408 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

The regiment was immediately put under marching orders, and had barely 
time to draw clothing, and none at all to drill, hefore the march commenced, 
viz : on the 23d of August, for Cloud's .^iills, eight miles from Washington. 
Other troops soon began to arrive, and on the following morning the field as 
far as eye could see, was covered with men, tents, artillery, horses, mules, etc. 
The Eleventh, Sixteenth, Nineteenth and Twenty-second Massachusetts, were 
among them. These troops had now just arrived from the Peninsula, and 
the whole corps were to join the army of Gen. Pope. On the 26th of Au- 
gust, at nine o'clock p. m., the march commenced of twelve miles, halting 
at two o'clock A. M. After a few hours' sleep, such as could be had upon 
the bare ground, they commenced a hurried march, as news had arrived that 
the rebels were cutting the New York Fourth Heavy Artillery in pieces. 
They met the New York troops retreating in a completely demoralized con- 
dition, having only two pieces of artillery. They were in a panic and left 
their two pieces of artillery in their flight. Our troops laid here for twenty- 
six hours with their rifles loaded, and no less than eleven times in that twenty- 
six hours were called to arms, as the rebels were trying to flank the Union 
troops. At six and one-half o'clock, on the 28th, orders were given to re- 
turn to the forts ; the order, however, was given to each man in a ivhisper. 
The object of this was but too well understood during the night following, as 
the rebels shelled the ground, they had just left, heavily. Our troops on their 
return to the Heights were so divided as to garrison eight forts, and here they 
remained from the 30th of August, 1862, until the month of May, 1864. 
Our troops while here often practiced target shooting with the large guns, the 
corporals acting as gunners. Each one would naturally try to excel, but it 
is gratifying to learn that our lamented townsman, Osgood E. Burnham, dis- 
covered quite uncommon skill in this to him, new mode of warfare. During 
the twenty months' stay of our troops at this station, they were visited by 
distinguished persons, as the President, the Uussian Embassy and others, 
who often addressed the troops in patriotic terms. 

On the 14th of May, 1864, however, orders were received to march to the 
front as Infantry, and next day, Sunday, they took transports at Alexandria, 
and proceeded down the river, to Belle Plains. At this time only two Essex 
men rem:;ined in Company E, viz., D. Brainard and Osgood E. Burnham. 
It may be proper to say, that Parsons and A. F. Burnham, had been dis- 
charged. W. H. Hull was sick in Washington. The troops arrived at Belle 
Plains 17th of May, at nine o'clock, a. m., and marched thirty-four miles to 
Fredericksburg, and from thence to the extreme front. On the 19th says D. 
B. B. the subject of this sketch, at four o'clock p. m., " we became engaged 
with Ewell's corps which had attacked a supply train." We lost five hun- 
dred and seventeen killed and wounded, fifty-four being shot dead. The 
fight continued till nine o'clock p. m. The result was a Union victory. "It 
would be hard," says Mr. B., " to describe my feelings when first going into 
battle, but I determined to do my duty let what would come." A ball struck 
his rifle out of his hand and also took off the middle finger of his left hand. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 409 

Just then he saw Osgood E. Burnham fall, having received a rifle ball in his 
left hip. With the aid of another soldier he carried Osgood to the rear, 
Osgood was too faint with loss of blood to reach the surgeon's tent and was 
laid for a short time in a barn, but as soon as circumstances would permit, 
was put into the surgeon's hands, being carried upon a stretcher by four 
men. That was the last time, says Mr. B., that I ever saw my much loved 
cousin and brother soldier. Pie was a model soldier in camp, and a very 
brave one in battle. His first and highest ambition was to do his duty. 
When he fell, indeed, the words "wife" and "mother" were almost the 
only words that fell from his lips. He at length died of lock-jaw, having 
taken cold probably. Jeremiah Poland, Jr., also received his death wound 
in that battle, and H. Nelson Andrews was wounded in his hand. 

ALBERT FRANK BURNHAM. 

Albert Frank Burnham was born in Gloucester, October 2, 1839, and 
was the son of Francis Burnham, 2d, and ]*olly Burnham. He enlisted 
July 23, 1862, in Company E, Capt. Sargent, Fourteenth Massachusetts 
Volunteers. The regiment was stationed, as before mentioned, in the forts 
near Washington. He was ruptured in February, 1863, and sent to the 
hospital, where he remained ten days, when he returned to the regiment, and 
remained until July, 1863. On the 23d of October, 1863, he was trans- 
ferred to the Invalid corps; came home, November 12th, on thirty days' fur- 
lough ; then returned to the regiment and wa§ with it until February 7, 1864, 
when he was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, by order from 
the War Department, No. 9, certificate being signed by Surgeon N. R. 
Mosely. It is painful to add that this soldier died at his father's residence 
in Essex, August 14, 1866, of consumption. He was an only child. 

CHARLES A. BURNHAM. 
Charles A. Burnham, painter, aged 25 years, was born in Essex ; he is 
married, and has a wife and three children. He was the son of John Fiske 
and Joanna Burnham, and enlisted August, 1862. His regiment, the Four- 
teenth (infantry), after their departure for the seat of war, was changed to 
a heavy artillery regiment. The Fourteenth Regiment, above named, left 
Camp Cameron, at Cambridge, August 18, 1862, and arrived in Washing- 
ton on the 20th. At Fort Albany, they were divided into squads, and 
Charles A. Burnham, the above-named soldier, became a member of Com- 
pany A, a large number of the men in that company being from Ipswich. 
In September, 1862, by order of the War Department, this regiment was 
organized as before stated, as heavy artillery, and to remain so during their 
whole term of service, though when ordered to the front in May, 1864, they 
were to act as infantry. 

WILLIAM H. HULL. 

William H. Hull enlisted in August, 1862, in Company E, Capt. Sawyer, 

Fourteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry. They were first 
52 



410 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

ordered to Camp Cameron, in Cambridge, for the purpose of filling vacancies, 
but shortly left the State for Wasliington, and arrived there in the same 
month. Soon after arriving at Washington and crossing the long bridge 
across the Potomac, they were stationed in different forts on Arlington 
Heights. For additional details the reader is referred to the sketch of 
D B. Burnham, p. 407. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON BURNHAM. 

George Washington Burnham was born February 22, 1830, and was the 
son of Michael and Thirza Burnham. He enlisted in the Thirty-ninth. His 
history being involved with that of Albert A. Haskell, Rufus E. Mears, 
Daniel Burnham, and others in the same regiment, and substantially the 
same, need not be minutely repeated. His verbal statement is that on the 
18th of August, 1864, in company with Albert A. Haskell, (see p. 403,) 
he was captured with some two thousand others, and kept at Petersburg, Va., 
and at Ship Island, some four days: thence, first to Libby prison, in Rich- 
mond, where they remained but two days, after which they were removed 
across the James to Belle Isle. Here they found themselves among seven 
to eight thousand Union prisoners. The battle in which these prisoners 
were captured was at Weldon railroad. From Belle Isle they were removed 
to Salisbury prison, N. C, from which receptacle of living death they were 
not discharged until February 22, 1865. At fii'st and for a time, they were 
allowed flour bread, but afterwards corn bread made of the corn and cob 
ground together. Once in four or five days, and sometimes only once in 
about ten days, they were allowed a "bit of heef,^'' if so it might be called, 
sometimes liver, lights, tripe uncleaned, and once in a while a little sorghum. 
" There were five days," not consecutive indeed, says Mr. B., " when we 
had no food whatever. ^^ The prisoners were confined by a close board fence, 
with a guard on the outside so elevated that they could see over. On one 
occasion our soldiers being driven to desperation by hunger, attempted to 
break out, but were fired upon by the guard. Sixteen were killed and about 
forty wounded. There was, of course, no other attempt to break. Mr. B. 
says there was no sickness, as such, in the prison, but the want of shelter 
was as destructive to life as hunger itself. After a parole was finally ordered, 
the soldiers were sent first to Greensborough, say fifty miles, the whole dis- 
tance, except about fifteen miles, being performed on foot. The effect of 
prison-life, as might be expected, was different upon different men. Mr. 
Burnham's eye-sight was impaired, and continued so a long time, so that 
when sent to Greensborough, he was unable to do night-marching with any 
safety, falling into culverts, &c. He thinks many others were similarly af- 
fected. The scurvy was also one of the sequels of prison-life, as jaundice 
had been one of the earlier ailments of it. Chronic diarrhoea did not affect 
him particularly, until paroled and on the way home. The almost endless 
fio-hting; at the Wilderness, the battle at Weldon railroad, before mentioned, 
and that at Petersburg, were the principal, if not the only battles in which 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIEKS. 411 

Mr. B. was engaged. " We had no chaplain or surgeon in the prison except 
rebels. The soldiers," says Mr. B, "were not all young men by any means, 
though generally so. In our company one was sixty years old, a Mr. Gibbs, 
and a ' right good soldier he.' Some others were fifty or over, and yet ex- 
eellent soldiers." Mr. Burnham believes that explosive bullets were used by 
rebs to some extent, though the fact has not been referred to by any other 
Essex soldier, perhaps because not questioned with regard to it. A soldier 
from Dan vers on his immediate left, Mr. B. thinks, was shot with one of these 
dreadful missiles, as an explosion appeared to him to take place when the ball 
struck, which it did in the head. The soldier in falling, fell upon Mr. B. 

■ OSGOOD E. BURNHAM. 

The sketch of this fallen soldier has already been somewhat fully given by 
his relative and friend, David Brainard Burnham (see page 407), but a 
distinct notice is certainly due to so fine a soldier as he. He was born in 
Essex, December 23, 1835 ; his parents, Luke and Mary Burnham, both sur- 
vive. He enlisted on the 6th of August, 1862, in Company E, Fourteenth 
Massachusetts Regiment, the same being afterwards changed to Massachu- 
setts First, Company A. At the time of enlistment. Col. Green commanded 
the regiment, and Capt. Sargent the coQipany, but their places were subse- 
quently and permanently supplied by Col. Tannat and Capt. Thomson. Mr. 
'Burnham was made corporal of Company E, on the 16th of October, 1863, 
which office he held until his death. He was wounded in the battle of 
Spottsylvania, on the 19th of May, 1864; was carried first to Fredericks- 
burg, and afterwards to Washington, D. C, where he died in Campbell 
Hospital on the 28th of May, being nine days after the wound. 

The case of this soldier would afford matter for much useful reflection were 
we not almost precluded in sketches like these from indulging in it. It may, 
however, at least be said that it is probably far from being the first time, 
when very great native modesty has been found to have been united with an 
equal amount of valor and intrepidity, such as nothing short of the battle- 
field can well develop. The precious life it is true, is a great price to pay, 
but he undoubtedly perceived himself becoming more and more equal to the 
occasion, and could have said perhaps, with Adjutant Stearns in a letter to 
his father from some part of the same great battle-field, "father, I am twice 
the man I ever was before." 

HORATIO NELSON ANDREWS. 
Horatio Nelson Andrews, son of Joseph and Hannah Andrews, was born 
June 17, 1836. He enlisted August 6, 1862, in Company A, Fourteenth 
Eegiment Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry. Col. William B. Green, Capt. 
Nathaniel Shatswell, of Ipswich, iMass. They arrived, says Mr. Andrews, 
in Virginia just in season to take pai-t in the disastrous campaign of Gen. 
Pope, in which were fought the memorable battles of Bull Kun, Centreville, 
Chantilly, &c. They were stationed at Arlington Heights for uearly two 



412 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

years, most of which time was on detached service at Division or Brigade 
Head- quarters, and during which time, the regiment was changed from the 
Fourteenth Infantry to the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Col. Thomas 
R. Tannat of Manchester, Mass. They crossed the Rappahannock at Fred- 
ericksburg with the regiment of one thousand seven hundred and fifty men» 
in time to take part in Grant's campaign, at a battle in Spottsylvania, in 
which the regiment lost between three and four hundred men, killed and 
wounded, among whom were Jeremiah Poland, Jr., and Osgood Burnham of 
Essex. Mr. Andrews states that he was mustered out at the close of his 
term of service ; the regiment, then consisting of two hundred and fifty men, 
in front of Petersburg, Va., having lost nearly one thousand four hundred 
men in about two months. He received his filial discharge, July 21, 1864. 
He states that he received a pension from the United States for injuries re- 
ceived at Spottsylvania, which consisted of a slight wound in the hip, and in 
the hand the loss of a finger. 

JOHN J. PARSONS. 
John J. Parsons enlisted in August, 1862, in Company E, Capt. Sawyer, 
Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment, Col. Green. He continued in the same 
company (E) after a part of the E.ssex men who enlisted at the same time, 
were attached to Company A, in the same regiment. His history may be 
considered a» described in 'that of others in the same company, except when 
personal, and the facts relating to this point we are unable to give at this date, 

(December 31, 1867). 

MORTT DUGGAN. 

Morty Duggan, born in Ireland, county of Cork in 1822 ; enlisted in the 
Forty eighth Massachusetts, Col. Stone, Company E, Capt Howes. So per- 
fectly is the personal history of Mr. Duggan identified with his company, and 
so fully are the services of it set forth by Capt. Howes, (see p. 364 and on- 
ward,) also by Mr. Aaron Low and Mr. Lamont G. Burnham in their several 
journals herein contained, that it is conceived no separate description will be . 

thought necessary. 

JOSEPH PROCTER, JR. 

Joseph Procter, Jr., carpenter, son of Joseph and Elizabeth G. Procter, 
born in Essex December 14, 1834; enlisted in the Forty-eighth Massachu- 
setts, Company E, Capt. Howes, as a drummer. The fortunes and the ser- 
vices of this ardent and patriotic soldier may be read out in the long sketch 
given by Capt. Howes, before referred to, to which, as well as that given by 
Mr. A. Low, the reader is referred. 

CHARLES W. PROCTER. 
Charles W. Procter, son . of Joseph and Elizabeth G. Procter, was 
born in Essex, December 12, 1838. He enlisted as a fifer, and was con- 
nected with Company E, Forty-eighth Massachusetts throughout the entire 
service of nine months. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 413 

JOHN CRAFTS, JR. 
John Crafts, Jr., -son of John and Nancy Crafts, born October 23, 1819. 
His first enlistment was on the 9th of November, 18G1, in Capt. Tyler 
Read's Company A, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and he was discharged 
July 14, 1862, for disability. Mr. Craft's second enlistment was the 7th 
of October, 1862, in Capt. Howes' Company E, Forty-eighth Massachusetts 
Volunteers, Col. Stone. He was in the battle at Plain Store, and at 
Donaldsonville, for some account of which, see the sketch of Capt. Howes. 

FRANKLIN CRAFTS, 
Franklin Crafts enlisted two years before the war in the regular army, and 
was stationed in Nebraska at tlie commencement of the rebellion. He came 
to Cincinnati in the summer of 1861, and was thence ordered into Virginia, 
and was engaged in the battles of Port Republic and at Fredericksburg. He 
enlisted the second time in October, 1862, in Capt. Howes' Company E, 
Forty-eighth Massachusetts, Col. Stone, and was with the same regiment and 
company until their discharge. 

WASHINGTON WILKINS JAMES. 
Washington Wilkins James, son of John and Eliza James, was born in 
Essex, February 1.3, 1841. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth Massachusetts, 
Col. Stone, Company D, Capt. Noyes. From the statement of Capt. Howes 
of Company E, we obtain the only facts relating to this youthful soldier. Un- 
der date of May 5, 1863, Capt. Howes says : " Wilkins James is quite sick 
in the hospital." And by an entry on the 9th, it appears he wrs not so well. 
It is painful in the extreme to add, that "he died on the 13th of May, and 
was buried the following day." He found his grave where so many multi- 
tudes of precious lives were laid down for their country's good, on the banks 
of the rolling Jilississippi. Peace to the memory of the soldier wherever his 
ashes lie. 

FRANCIS G. MEARS. 

Francis G. Mears, son of William H. and Mary Aim Mears, was born 
September 1837, at Essex. He enlisted in the Forty-eighth Massachusetts, 
Col. Stone, Company E, Capt. Howes; died at Baton Rouge, June 21, 
1868. The military life and its honorable though painful close in death, is 
sufficiently narrated in the sketch of the Forty-eighth, by Capt. Howes, page 
364 and onward, but may be recapitulated here in part. He had had a sick- 
ness at the arsenal hospital previous to that of which he died, but so far re- 
covered as to rejoin the regiment on the 17th of April, 18G3. He was, 
however, taken down again on the 4th of iMay, following, and was at once 
removed to the ho.spital. He grew sick rapidly and as Capt H. states, " ap- 
peared to be failing fast." He improved somewhat afterwards, it appears, as 
by the journal of the ever attentive Captain it appears that " on the 9th of the 
month, Mr. Mears was somewhat improving." It has been often remarked, 
however, that there is one foe, which even the bravest and the best caanot 



414 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

meet, and before which all alike must fall. And accordingly, on the 21st of 
June, 1863, this youthful warrior laid off his mortal armor forever, and like 
multitudes of others, many of whom were no doubt equally brave, sleeps 
on the banks of the mighty Mississippi at Baton Rouge. 

It should have been before stated that Mr. Mears was in the line of pro- 
motion when taken sick, having been made a sergeant. 

SAMUEL MEARS, JR. 

Samuel Mears, Jr., was the son of Samuel and Lydia Mears. He was 
38 years of age at the time of his enlistment, which was in July, 1862, 
in the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts, Company A, Col. P. S. Davis, and 
Capt. George S. Nelson. Mr. Mears was not engaged in any regular battle, 
and was discharged for disability, in January, 1864. He was re-enlisted 
however, in the same year in the Thirteenth Veteran Reserve, in the month 
of July, and was 'finally discharged in January, 1865. 

WILLIAM C. HOWARD. 

William C. Howard being by marriage and residence, in part, an Essex 
man, and for that reason inserted here, was born at Fall River ; son of 
Stephen and Lucy Howard. He enlisted at the age of 27 years, in the 
Third Maine Regiment, Company A, Capt. Sawyer. He was sworn into the 
United States service, June 5, 1861, at Washington. On the 15th of July, 
following, they were marched to Centerville, Va., eight miles from Bull Run. 
He was io the first Bull Run fight about five hours, when they fell back 
twenty-eight miles to Alexandria, where they encamped until the 5th of 
April, 1862, when the army were ordered down to Fortress Monroe and 
thence to Yorktown, twenty-four miles, where they remained until the 28th 
of May. Mr. Howard was in the battle at Williamsburg, about the last of 
May, and also at Fair Oaks, where he was taken with a fever. This was 
the last of his service in the Third Maine. The Colonel of this Maine regi- 
ment was 0. 0. Howard ; Capt. Sawyer commanded this company. 

On the 12th of August, 18G2, he enlisted in the Tenth Vermont, where he 
served until the 3d of July, 18*>5, making two years and ten months While 
in this regiment he fought in the first battle of Mine Run, on the 24th of 
November, 1864, and next in the Wilderness battle on the 5th of May. 
Here he lost two of the fingers of his right hand while on picket. The next 
battle was on the 2d of April, 1865, breaking the lines before Peters- 
burg, and there they chased " old Bob. Lee," as the rebs used to call him, sev- 
eral days and captured Lee's rear guard of five thousand men, on the 6th of 
April. This, says Mr. Howard, was called Sailor's Run, and was the last 
battle of the Army of the Potomac, so he says he had the pleasure of saying 
he was in Ball Ran first, and Sailor s Run last. His Colonel was William 
Henry, Lieut-Colonel, J. Hunt, and Company, H. And to recapitulate, Mr. 
Howard fought as follows, viz. : in the Third Maine, July 21, 1861, at the 
first Bull Run battle; in 1862, at Williamsburg and at Fail- Oaks; and in 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 415 

the Tenth Vermont, as follows : November 27, 1863, at Mine Run ; May 
6, 1864, Wilderness; April 2, 18G5, when he lost his fingers; April 6, 
1865, Sailor's Run, being seven battles in all. 

ROBERT WALLACE ALLEN. 

Robert Wallace Allen, was enrolled September 6th, 1862, being the day 
preceding his 14th year, and was shortly mustered into the service at 
Camp Lander, in Wenhara, thence assigned to the Fifth Regiment, Company 
E, Col. Pierson, Capt. John Kent. He did not return with the regiment, 
but went on board the gun boat Arietta, Capt. William Wright, Salem. He 
was discharged from the United States Naval Hospital, at Brooklyn, N. Y., 
and from the service, December 21, 1864. Not much fighting was done 
while the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment was stationed in North Carolina. It 
had a part, however, in several small expeditions. At the time of the battle 
at Fort Fisher, March 25, 1865, this soldier was under hospital treatment. 

ALBION BURNHAM. 

Albion Burnham, son of Samuel and Sallie Burnham, enlisted October 15, 
1863, when at the age of 23 years, as first mate of the ship Carnation, and was 
stationed for a time off Port Royal. The Carnation was engaged as a part of 
the blockading squadron in the capture of Charleston, S. C, in February, 1865. 

LYMAN H. CHASE. 

Lyman H. Chase, (alias Lyman B. Chase,) enlisted in the Fifth Regi- 
ment, Col. Pierson, Company K, Capt. Crafts, for three months. And after 
the expiration of that time during which term the regiment was under the 
command of Brig. Gen. Lawrence, M. V. M., it volunteered to return for 
nine months, when the President, in 1862, called for three hundred thousand 
nine months' men. It appears by Adjutant Gen. Schouler's Report for 1863, 
p. 117, that after the re-enlistment for nine months, this regiment left Boston 
the 22d of October, in transports for Newbern, N. C. It should be observed 
that while acting as three months' men, " this regiment acted a brave part in 
the first disastrous battle of Bull Run." Mr. Chase was 26 years old at the 
time of his first enlistment. By the Adjutant General's Report for 1863, it 
appears that Mr. Chase was acting as wagoner. 

JAMES HOWE BURNHAM. 

James Howe Burnham, son of Abel and Esther Burnham, was drafted into 
the army, July 10, 1863, and was first mustered into the Eighteenth IMassa- 
chusetts Regiment, but afterwards transferred to the Thirty-second, Company 
I. He was in the battle of the Wilderness and in several skirmishes, but never 
wounded. His entire term of service was twenty-three months and nineteen 
days, and he received his discharge on the 20th of June, 1865. 

JOHN L. MARTYN. 

John L. Martyn, enlisted in December, 1861, into Company H, Massachu- 
setts Twenty-fourth, Col. Stevenson. He is believed to have been at the 
siege at Fort Wagner, but the details of his army life are not now available. 



416 HISTORY OF ESSEX. {[Chap. 7. 

JOHN S. JONES. 

John S. Jones, ship-carpenter by trade, aged 30 years, was born in Essex, 

and was the son of Abraham and Mary Jones ; has a wife and two children. 

He enlisted August 2, 1862, into Company A, Capt. Shatswell, Fourteenth 

Regiment. He was detailed to work as a carpenter. Oq the 29th of May, 

1863, he met with the accident of cutting off his great toe, and was sent to 
the hospital. Left for home, September 30, 1863, on furlough for fifteen 
days, with orders to report at the expiration of his furlough at the Mason 
General Hospital, Peraberton square, Boston. He remained there until the 
5th of December, when he was transferred to the invalid corps, stationed at 
Camp Sumner, Wenham. The carpenter-work for which he was detailed 
was that of getting out timber for gun-carriages. 

JEREMIAH POLAND, JR. 
Jeremiah Poland, Jr., aged 34 years, was the son of Jeremiah and Betsey 
Poland. He enlisted first, December 31, 1862, in Company A, Fourteenth 
Massachusetts Regiment. Be-enlisted December 31, 1863, at Fort DeKalb, 
in Company A, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Capt. A. A. Hosmer, 
for three years, and came home on thirty days' furlough. Mr, Poland, ac- 
cording to the sketch given of David B. Burnhani (p. 407), is believed to 
have received his death wound in the battle of Fredericksburg, May 19, 

1864. But he is known to have died May 21, 1864, having been wounded 
by a shell in his body, also in one of his legs. 

EDWIN A. HOWES. 
Edwin A. Howes, aged 27 years, ship-joiner by trade, was the son of Col- 
lins and Bhoda Howes ; and was born in Chatham ; a widower with one child. 
He enlisted May 11, 1861, in the Second Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, 
infantry, and left the State July 8, 1861. He was in Gen. Patterson's com- 
mand at Martinsburg, under the immediate command of Gen. Banks, from 
Ausfust, 1861, till September, 1862. On the date of his enlistment he was 
appointed corporal, and on the 20th of June was made fourth sergeant of 
Company F. On the 1st of October, 1862, he was appointed color sergeant, 
and on the 8th of December, following, was promoted commissary sergeant of 
the regiment. He was in the battle of Winchester on the 2r)th of August, 
1861, and in that at Cedar Mountain, August 8, 1862. Mr. Howes was 
attached to the Twelfth Army Corps at Antietam, and was in the battle of 
September 17, 1862 ; also when Burnside was crossing at Fredericksburg, this 
corps was held in reserve, and was not engaged in the battle. It was, how- 
ever, in the battle at Chancellorsville and at Beverly Ford, also at Gettys- 
burg. On the 2d of August, 1863, this corps was ordered to New York to 
quell a riot there on account of the draft, and was absent from the army four 
weeks. • On the 24th of September, 1863, they were ordered to East Ten- 
nessee to re-enforce Gen. Rosecrans, and since that time have been a part of 
the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Howes had been in all the battles in 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 417 

which the regiment had been engaged up to the time of his promotion to the 
office of commissary sergeant, except during the six weeks in the Spring of 
1862, when he was in the hospital at Frederic City, Md. Mr. H. re-en- 
listed for three years on the 30th of December, 1863, as commissary ser- 
geant of the Second Massachusetts Volunteers, infantry, and came home on 
a thirty days' furlough in January, 1864. Mustered out of service, August 
1, 1865. Whole term of service, four years, two months, twenty days. 

DANIEL DUGGAN. 
Daniel Duggan, aged 26 years, laborer, was born in the county of Cork, 
Ireland, and was the son of Dennis and Honora Duggan. He enlisted May 
20, 1861, in Company F, Capt. Mudge, Second Massachusetts Kegiment, 
infantry, and was sent to Camp Cameron, Roxbury, and there remained till 
August 8th. The regiment was then ordered to Western Virginia. He was 
in the battle and retreat at Ball's Bluff, and was in the second Bull Run battle, 
also at the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, besides many 
skirmishes. In one of these battles he received a flesh wound in the leg. In 
September, 1863, his regiment was ordered to East Tennessee, where he re- 
mained on guard duty until the 7th of January, 1864, when the regiment 
was ordered home on furlough, lie having previously re-enlisted. He arrived 
home on January 21st. The furlough was for thirty days. He was mustered 
out July 26, 1865. His whole term of service was four years, two months, 

fifteen days. 

ROBERT W. BURNHAM, JR. 

Robert W. Burnham, Jr., aged 21 years, ship-carpenter by trade, was born 
in Essex ; son of Robert W. and Clara Burnham. He enlisted for three years 
as band musician in the Second Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. Gor- 
don. He left Camp Andrews, Roxbury, for the seat of war July 8, 1861 ; 
was discharged by a general order. No. 9, after fifteen months of hard service, 
during which time the regiment was in two or three battles, besides being 
almost continually on the march. They arrived home September 8, 1862. 
The number of the original members of the regiment at this time was six hun. 
dred only, out of ten hundred and forty that left Camp Andrews one year and 
two months before. Mr. Burnham enlisted again in the band of the third 
brigade, twelfth army corps, and was sworn into the service of the United 
States April 16, 1863. The brigade arrived at Stafford Court House, head- 
quarters of the brigade, April 20th. They left the Army of the Potomac 
September 26, to join the Army of the West in Tennessee, and January 7, 
1864, they left TuUahoma for home with the Second Massachusetts Regiment, 
having re-enlisted for three years. Arrived home January 21, 1864. Mr. 
Burnham kept a journal daily, from which the following facts are chiefly derived. 
We shall feel precluded by the crowded state of the book from inserting much 
that would deeply interest the reader, but must find room for the following : 
" June 8, 1862, crossed the Potomac to Falling Waters ; bivouacked for the 
night; constant rain. On the 11th, marched towards Martinsburg; encamped 
53 



418 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

at Bunker Hill, distance eighteen miles ; 12th, to Newton, eighteen miles. 
On the 15th, Gen. (late Col.) Gordon made his farewell address to the regi- 
ment July 6th, mai'ched four miles ; crossed the Shenandoah ; passed 

through Front Royal and encamped On the 28th, grand review ; 30th, 

our band played at a funeral "here. August 9th, formed in line of battle nine 
miles from Culpepper, on the right of Banks' command ; heavy firing of artil- 
lery till six'o'clock ; grand charge of infantry from the enemy on the \yhole line ; 
assisted in carrying off the wounded ; narrowly escaped being taken prisoner." 

GUSTAVUS S. PERKINS. 
Gustavus S. Perkins, aged 28 years, was the son of Abraham and Abigail 
Perkins. He received his commission September 1, 1861, as Second Assist- 
ant Engineer of the Colorado steamer, and was ordered to Mobile, where he 
served fifteen months. He then received a furlough of two weeks, after which 
he was ordered on board the Donaldson, stationed on the blockade off 
Wilmington. He here served as First Assistant or head Engineer until Au- 
tumn, when, after another short furlough, he was ordered on board the Gettys- 
burg on the blockade off Wilmington. He remained there till the end of 
the war, being in the engagement at Fort Fisher. After this engagement he 
was allowed another furlough of three months, after which be received his 
discharge, September, 1865. 

GEORGE DODGE. 

George Dodge enlisted in the Massachusetts Twenty-third Volunteers, in- 
fantry. Col. John Kurtz, Company I, Capt. Hobbs, which was ordered to 
join Gen. Burnside's army. This company was in the battles of Eoanoke 
Island, Newborn, Kinston and others. After remaining at Newbern about a 
year they were ordered to Hilton Head, S. C, where they remained but two 
days, when they returned to Newbern and thence to Fortress Monroe, where 
they remained as late as February, 1864. Col. Raymond, who at one time 
commanded this regiment, pays a compliment which every soldier in the regi- 
ment ought to share. " Their excellent conduct, while I had the honor to 
command them, their coolness and bravery under fire, their vigilance and 

fidelity at all times displayed, entitles them to the highest praise I 

shall account it the greatest honor of my life, that I have been privileged to 
command them." We regret to say we are unable to obtain other facts re- 
lating to Mr. Dodge. 

RUFUS BURNHAM. 

Rufus Burnham, ship-carpenter, single man, was the son of Humphrey 
and Eliza Burnham, and was born in Essex, November 17, 1838. He en- 
listed May 9, 1861, in Company F, Capt. Patterson, Second Regiment, Mass- 
achusetts Volunteers, infantry. They were ordered to Martinsburg under 
Gen. Patterson, and were in the battles of Winchester and Cedar Mountain. 
Mr. Burnham was discharged February 26, 1863, on a certificate of disabil- 
ity, signed by Surgeon Gen. Dale. This soldier died at his father's in Essex, 
on the 22d of January, 1867, aged 29 years and 2 months, much lamented. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 419 

CHARLES PERRY LUFKIN. 

Charles Perry Lufkin, shoemaker by trade, was born February 19, 1843, 
and was the son of John P. and Elizabeth Lufkin. He enlisted December 
2, 1861, in Company C, Capt. Pratt, Twenty-fon- ^h Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteers. They were ordered to join Gen. Burnside" . d' -ision, and were 
in the battles of Roanoke Island and Newbern, and were then ordered to 
Charleston harbor, and were in the assault on Fort Wagner, on the 25th of 
July, 1863, when Mr. L. was struck in the back by a ball from Fort Sumpter. 
He was carried to Beaufort hospital where he died on the 1st of August, 
1863, from the eflPects of the wound. The first effect of the ball was to pro- 
duce paralysis of the legs only, but his whole system shared in it, and he died 
as above stated. His grave is in the National Cemetery at Beaufort, and affec- 
tionate comrades placed a head-stone above the consecrated spot where sleep 
the remains of Charles P. Lufkin. Besides the battles named above, he was 
in the secret expedition to Columbia, March 8, 1862 ; in the battle at Vanter's 
Creek, June 5, 1862; at Rawle's Mills, November 2; Kinston, December 
14; Whitehall, December 16; Groldsboro, December 17, — all the above being 
in North Carolina ; also at James' Island, S. C, July 16, 1863, and at Morris 
Island, July 18, 1863. 

CHARLES F. MORSE. 
Charles F. Morse, aged 33 years ; enlisted in Company H, Nineteenth 
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, Capt. Devereaux, which was ordered 
to join the Army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan. They were in the 
seven days' battles on the Peninsula, also, at the battles of Yorktown and 
Fair Oaks. He was taken sick on the march to Antietam, and sent to the 
hospital at corner of Fifth and Buttonwood streets, Philadelphia, where he 
died after a sickness of two months, aged 33 years. He was in the service 
about eighteen months, and leaves a widow and three children. A member 
of the same company and an acquaintance of this soldier, states that Mr. 
Morse, like some others, frequently expressed his fears, that he never should 
survive the campaign, and for some reasons had no expectation of ever 
reachino; home ao;ain. 

REUBEN ANDREWS. 

Reuben Andrews, aged 25 years, by trade a shoemaker; was the son of Obed 
and Ruth Andrews, and was born in Essex. He enlisted November 25, 1861, 
in Company H, Capt. Devereaux, Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- 
teers. The regiment, as before stated, was ordered to join McClellan's army. 
He was in .the battles on the Peninsula and at Yorktown, and died at Harper's 
Ferry, October 27, 1862, of typhoid fever. He left a widow and one child. 
For further allusions to Mr. Andrews, see the sketch of John C. Butman. 

CHARLES EDWIN ANDREWS. 

Charles Edwin Andrews, aged 26 years, shoemaker ; was the son of Ira 
and Martha Andrews, and was born in Essex. He enlisted in Company H, 



420 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

Capt. Devereaux, Nineteenth Regiment. They were, as before stated, or- 
dered to join the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Andrews was in the battle at 
Yorktown, and was killed by a ball through his head, in the seven days' 
fight on the Peninsula, at White Oaks. This battle was on the last day of 
May and first day of June, 1862, and he sleeps with multitudes of others 
on the banks of the Chicahominy River. It is said of him, that from the 
time of his enlistment, he had a premonition of the final event, and while 
putting on the military dress at Salem, made some remark to a comrade 
strongly indicative of the sad result. Reference may also be had to the. 
sketch of J. C. Butman, page 424. 

ERASTUS HOWES. 

Erastus Howes, was born in Chatham, Barnstable County, July 4, 1834, 
and was the son of Enoch and Azubah Howes. He enlisted on the 17th of 
October, 1861, for three years, into the Massachusetts Twenty -fourth. Col. 
Thomas G. Stevenson, and Company C, Captain Robert H. Stevenson. 
He was sworn in as a Massachusetts volunteer at Readville, and mustered 
into the United States service at Annapolis, in December, 1861. Mr. 
Howes sailed with the Burnside expedition to Hatteras, N. C. The follow- 
ing is a list of the battles in which he was engaged, from an early period 
to the literal close of the war. The first was that at Roanoke Island, N. C, 
on the 8th of February, 1862 ; secret expedition to Columbia, N. C, March 
8, 1862; Newbern, N. C, March 14, 1862; Tranter's Creek, N. C, June 
5, 1862; Rawles Mills, N. C, November 2, 1862; on detached service 
from December 1, 1862, to June 20, 1863; at Newbern N. C. ; joined the 
regiment at Folly Island, S. C, July 10, 1863; battle of James Island, 
S. C, July 16, 1863; charge on rifle-pits of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, 
S. C, August 18, 1863. On the 25th of September, the regiment, being very 
much reduced in numbers by hard service and malaria, were ordered to St. 
Augustine, Florida, to recruit health. Re-enlisted at the latter place, on the 
4th of January, 1864, for three years. Ordered to the Army of tlie James ; 
joined Butler's command. Captured'Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 6, 1864, 
and the battle of Petersburg Railroad, Va., followed on the 13th. Mr. 
Howes was wounded while charging a rebel battery, and sent to the hospital 
at Point Lookout, Md., — thence transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 
13, 1865. He was ordered to Washington, D. C, in August and placed on 
duty in the Capitol prison, and as an appropriate conclusion to his military 
career, was an assistant at the hanging of H. Wirz. 

LIEUT. CYRUS ANDREWS. 

Lieut. Cyrus Andrews, was born at Essex, and was the son of Israel Jr. , and 
Keziah Andrews. He enlisted at Gloucester, Mass., October 18, 1861, joined 
the Twenty-fourth Regiment at Readville, and was mustered into the service 
on the 23d. About the last of October, the same year, he was ordered with 
Companies A, B, C and I, to guard prisoners at Fort Warren in Boston 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 421 

harbor. Joined the regiment again at Readville, on the 2d of December, 
but on the 9th, left for Annapolis, Md. Arrived there December 12th, and 
on the 21st were detached' for duty on board the steamer Eastern State and 
remained on board till the battle of Roanoke Island on the 8th of February, 
1862. It was the fate of Mr. A. to double stormy Cape Hatteras no less 
than fourteen times. He was in the battle of Roanoke Island, N. C, on 
the 8th and 9th of February, 1862, and it was the grateful duty of this 
regiment (Twenty -fourth,) to receive the surrender of all the rebel prisoners 
taken on the island, two thousand five hundred in number. Mr. A. was also 
with his regiment at the battle of Newbern, 14th of March, 1862, and at 
those of Kinston, 14th of December, Whitehall on the 16th, and Goldsboro, 
on the 17th of the same month and year (1862.) He left North Carolina 
for Hilton Head, S. C, in January following, and remained on St. Helena 
Island, S. C, for three months, and thence was ordered to Brook Lsland, S. 
C, where he remained until July. He was at the siege of Morris Island 
through July and August, and took part in the charge on the rifle-pits on the 
26th of August, 1863. When subsequently and next at St. Augustine, Fla., 
on the 4th of January, 1864, Mr. Andrews re-enlisted, and was mustered 
in as a veteran volunteer. After a furlough of thii-ty days, he reported him- 
self at Washington, D. C, and after remaining three months at Arlington 
Heights, he joined Butler's force at Gloucester Point, Va. On the 2d of 
May, 1864, embarked on Butler's expedition up the James, landing at Ber- 
muda Hundred. He was engaged in the battles of Green Valley, Chester 
Station, and Drury's Bluff, all in the same montl; of May, at the latter of 
which, he was slightly wounded. In June following he was in the battle of 
Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, also in that at Weir Bottom Church. The 
army moved across the James on the 13th of August, and fought in the bat- 
tle of Deep Bottom on the next day; in that at Deep Run on the 16th of 
August, and again at Flusser's Mills on the 18th. Mr. A. was in the siege 
of Petersburg in August and September, 1864, also at New Market Heights 
on the 29th of September. He saw fight again at Four Mile Run in 
October, and at Darbytown Road at two different times in the same month. 
After considerable other service, we find him detailed in July, 1865, to take 
charge of Castle Thunder Prison, under Capt. W. J. O'Brien, where he re- 
mained until the 22d of January, 1866. 

Mr. Andrews had been appointed corporal in June, 1864, and sergeant 
on the 1st of December, the same year, and was finally promoted lieutenant 
January 1st, 1866. 

THOMAS A. MORSE. 

Thomas A. Morse, son of Samuel and Anna Morse, was 20 years of age 
when he enlisted. He enlisted in the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, 
Col. Hinks, Company H, Capt. Charles Devercaux. This soldier fought, 
as he states, in fifteen battles. He was wounded in a muscle in the right 
arm, and was discharged on tlie 21st of December, 1863. 

The published report enumerates the battle at Ball's Bluff, before Rich- 



422 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

mond, the second Bull Kun, Antietam, Fredericksburg, all previous to Jan- 
uary 1, 1863. Many of the battles referred to by this soldier may have 
been, and probably were, of minor importance. That at Gettysburg, in 
July, however, could not have been called so. The regiment was marched 
to the front ; and finally took their position on the left of Cemetery Hill, be- 
ing the centre of the line of the army. That position they kept, under heavy 
artillery fire until five o'clock p. m., on the 2d of July. On the morning of 
the 3d inst., this regiment was " for one hour and forty minutes under the 
most terrific cannonading during the war." Second Lieut. S. S. Robinson, . 
was killed by a round shot, besides whom several men were killed or wounded. 
The regiment to which Mr. Andrews belonged (Nineteenth,) secured a large 
number of flags, among which were the colors of the Fourteenth, Nineteenth, 
Fifty-third, and Fifty-seventh Virginia Regiments. Three of them were taken 
from the hands of the rebel color bearers, and one was picked up beyond the 
stone wall. Of the other engagements in which this soldier fought, we have 
not room to speak. 

WILBUR BURNHAM. 

Wilbur Burnham was born in Essex, May 24, 1842; parents, Nathan 
Burnham, 3d, and Margaret B. ; carpenter. He enlisted in Essex, July 28, 
1862, under the call for three years'' men. With ten other Essex men he 
joined the Thirty-fifth Regiment at Lynnfield, but that regiment being larger 
than was allowed by army regulations, the company to which he was attached 
was transferred, and became Company A, of the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts. 
Col. P. S. Davis, was commander of the regiment, and Capt. George Nelson 
of the company to which the soldier belonged. The company was mustered 
in at Lynnfield on the 18th of August, and he was appointed corporal the 
same day ; he was soon after pi'omoted as sergeant, which position he held at 
the time of his death. The Thirty-ninth Regiment was removed to Boxford after 
remaining at Lynnfield a short time, but left the former place for the seat of 
war on the 6th of September, 1862. They were at once detailed for picket 
duty up and down the Potomac, and so continued to be during the then ensuing 
Autumn and Winter, not being engaged in battle at all. On the 31st of De- 
cember, this Thirty-ninth Regiment was in bivouac near Mitchell's Station, 
Va., and they remained on picket and provost duty through the Winter on 
the northern side of the Rapidan. It was in Washington that the death of 
this young and rising warrior occurred. While on a march to guard rebel 
prisoners in the lower part of the city, he was suddenly seized with a fainting 
fit, and was conveyed to the hospital. It was at first supposed that the at- 
tack was sun-stroke, but it soon developed itself as varioloid, with typhoid 
fever of a most malignant type, which terminated his life on the 21st of May, 
1863; and it may with confidence be added, that if among the thousands of 
the patriotic young men of the Union army, there was one who was actuated 
by a spirit of pure patriotism, Wilbur Burnham was that young man. As 
one of the twenty-four fallen brave of Essex, he is entitled to honorable 
mention. 



1861—1865.] SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIEES. 423 

JOHN VARNUM. 

John Varniim enlisted at the age of 28 years, into the Massachusetts 
Thirty-ninth, Company A, Col. P. S. Davis, and Capt. George S. Nelson. 
The battles in which he was engaged were those of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania, Laurel Hill, Hatcher's Eun, and White Oak Swamp. He was slightly 
wounded at the battle of Laurel Hill. 

EZRA F. BURNHAM. 
Ezra F. Burnham, was the son of Ezra and Mary Ann Burnham. He 
served in the United States steamer Gettysburg, Lieut. R. H. Lamson, com- 
mander. He enlisted at the age of 20 years. While in the service he was 
in the engagement at Fort Fisher, and received his discharge May 19, 18G5. 

EDWARD W. LANDER. 

Edward W. Lander was born in Salem, Mass., January 9, 1835. His oc- 
cupation both there and in Essex was that of a barber ; has a wife and three 
children. He enlisted at Essex, July 19, 1862, in the Fourth Massachusetts 
Light Battery, Capt. C. H. Manning, (who raised the battery,) although it was 
afterwards commanded by Capt. George G. Trull. Capt. Trull was not com- 
missioned until October 21, 18G2. Mr. Lander was mustered into the ser- 
vice July 21, 1862, at Camp Cameron in Cambridge. He says, "I never 
was wounded nor in the hospital from sickness," and adds, "I never was 
really hungry, but have eaten raw salt pork and hard tack. I never was a 
prisoner." On the loth of January, this battery, then at Brashear City, 
was ordered up Bayou Teche with Gen. Weitzel's Corps to Camp Bisland, 
where it participated in the fight on the next day with the rebel gun-boat J. 
A. Gotten and the rebel land forces, and on the IGth returned to Brashear 
City, after which it went to Fort Pike. In the meantime, the men of the 
two sections of the battery, which had been left at Carrolton, La., had become 
so much disabled by the miasma arising from the surrounding swamps, that 
one hundred and ten out of one hundred and fourteen in camp being unfit 
for duty, they were ordered to Fort Pike to recruit their health. While here? 
several expeditions were sent out along the lake ; some to Bay St. Louis, 
where valuable light-house equipments and stores were captured, also to 
Pass Christian and Pearlington, where starving and destitute families were 
found and sent to New Orleans. "On the 28th of February our battery was 
ordered to Baton Rouge, and on the 13th of March it went with the expedi- 
tion to Port Hudson, whence, after the object of the expedition was aceom- 
complished, we returned to the swamps for rest a short time. On the 21st 
of May we marched for Port Hudson and were actively engaged througliout 

the siege From the time of the surrender of Port Hudson till the 

19th of September, we were passing up and down the great river, between 
Port Hudson and Donaldson ville, and on the 19th we were ordered to Camp 
Bisland to join the army engaged in the expedition to Opelousas. On the 
11th of October we were engaged with the enemy at Vermillionville. On 



424 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

the 17th of November we arrived at New Iberia, where the battery, having 
re-enlisted, was mustered into service for three years more. This re-enlist- 
ment took place on the 4th of January, 1864. After our furlough had ex- 
pired, we returned to New Orleans and were stationed for a while in the city. 
On Monday, September 3d, we were ordered to Morganza Bend, where we 
spent some time in drill and targetrfiring." Omitting much which might be 
related, Mr. Lander states, that on the 13th of October their left section 
went up Red River on an expedition, and returned in the evening with a few 
prisoners. On the 10th of November they were ordered on board the Ohio 
Belle, bound for White River, and landed at Duvall's Bluffs. He calls it a 
bad place for landing a battery. The mud was up to the hubs of the wheels. 
On the 25th of November they went on board a steamer for Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, on an expedition after the rebel General Hood. Hood retreated after 
a slight skirmish, but they did not follow him on account of the badness of 
the roads. Other skirmishing took place subsequent to the above, but not 
of a very important character. The last order before Mr. Lander's dis- 
charge was issued on Thursday the 9th of February, in pursuance of which 
they took the steamer Corrinthia for Dauphine Islaiid, where his discharge 
took place, his time having expired. 

JOHN C. BUTMAN. 

This sketch of John C. Butmarf may also be considered as applying to the 
following named soldiers, who enlisted at the same time, except wherein it is 
strictly personal, viz : William A. Andrews, Charles E. Andrews, Reuben 
Andrews, Ancill K. Butman, Charles F. Morse, Thomas A. Morse, John 
B. Burnham and William Howe Burnham. John C. Butman, son of John 
and Hepzibah Butman, was born December 28, 1819. Occupation, vessel- 
painting, enlisted at Essex, November 27, 1861, and was mustered and 
sworn in, December 10th, following. The above named soldiers left Salem 
on the same day, December 10th for Muddy Bank, say thirty-five miles above 
Washington city, and remained there until the 11th of March, 1862. On that 
day, they were ordered to strike their tents and move down the Potomac 
some sixteen miles to Edward's Ferry ; halted there for refreshments the 
same afternoon, and immediately went on board a canal boat and proceeded 
up the river till midnight. " On the next morning we were towed to Harper's 
Ferry. Leaving the boat at that place we crossed the river on a pontoon 
bridge, and marched in a southerly direction about two miles into Virginia, 
and thence on to Winchester. At Berrysville, we found the road lined with 
Union soldiers, shouting victory ; being now returning from the battle of 
Winchester. We learned that all the dwellings between us and Winchester, 
were filled with the dead and dying. We were now ordered into line and 
marched by the very field where John Brown was hanged. We were soon 
after halted and remained two nights in a grove near Gen. Banks' head- 
quarters, and thence proceeded to Bolivar, a small town where most of the 
houses had been evacuated. Our regiment was divided into squads, large or 



1861—1865.] CHARLES H. FIELDS. 425 

small, according to the size of the house we were to occupy. The roads were 
very muddy and the weather very rainy. Some twenty men were detailed 
to procure a supply of straw for the men to sleep upon. In about one week 
more we were ordered to the 'Soldier's Retreat' at Washington." [The re- 
mainder of Mr. Butman's statement, though interesting, is omitted, having 
already occupied more than the space assigned to it.] 

CHARLES H. FIELDS. 

Charles H. Fields enlisted in the first battalion of the Fifth Massachusetts 
Cavalry, Col. Russel, Company B, Capt. Cyrus Emery, December 25, 1863, 
for three years. Mr. Fields was born in Byfield Parish, Newbury, June 23, 
1823. He had been a seaman for about eleven years at one time, and fol- 
lowed other and laborious occupations previous to enlisting. His wife died 
while he was absent in the army, leaving several children. The regiment 
was mustered in at Readville on or about January 4, 1864, and remained 
there till the 5th of May, following, when they were ordered to proceed to 
Washington. The three battalions then consisted of about nine hundred 
men ; they arrived there on the 7th of May, and by Gen. Casey's order were 
dismounted and marched next day to Camp Stoneman, in Maryland ; shortly 
after, they were ordered again to Washington, and thence to Camp Casey, 
two miles from Long Bridge. On the 13th of May they were ordered to 
Fortress Monroe and to report themselves to Gen. Butler ; they arrived on 
the 15th, and proceeded the next day to City Point, at the junction of the 
James and Appomattox, where they remained a month for drill. This regi- 
ment was the first on the field at Petersburg, on the 15th of June, having 
commenced their march for that place an hour and a half sooner than the 
orders required. There had been a battle some four days before, viz. , on the 
11th of June ; but their first fighting commenced as above stated, on the 15th 
of June, 1864, and may be said to have lasted eleven days. The whole 
counti-y between the James and Appomattox, as far westerly at least as Peters- 
burg on the Appomattox and Bermuda Hundred on the James, and so down 
to the junction, may be said to have been battle ground those eleven days. 
Our troops drove the rebels in the first of these battles at Petersburg, June 
15, 1864, though it was a hotly contested battle. Mr. Fields belonged to 
the band (twenty-one in number), and they were used as soldiers in battle, 
though not required, on any occasion, to stand guard. Our troops captured 
three forts and three breastworks during those eleven days. It should have 
been stated that Mr. F. was at City Point about a month before the battle at 
Petersburg on the 15th, for drilling. After the battle above mentioned they 
were ordered to Bermuda Hundred, on the James River, when another battle 
was fought, and the troops continued from that time to be used where most 
wanted, during the remainder of the said eleven days. At the expiration of 
this time, they were ordered from Bermuda Hundred to Point Lookout in 
Maryland, at the junction of the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay, for the 

purpose of drilling, and guarding rebel soldiers, there being fifteen thousand 
54 



426 HISTORY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

at that place. They remained at Point Lookout from the last of July to 
the 26th of March, 1865, then left for Deep Bottom, so called, on the James 
River, five miles from Richmond, and remained there till the 4th of April, 
and at that time joined in the charge upon Richmond. It ought to be stated 
that the first colonel, Russell, had been degraded and sent home to Boston. 
The new colonel (Adams), had informed the regiment Sunday night (the day 
before the charge), of the plan of Gen. Grant for the attack on Richmond, and 
counseled them to show a specimen of their valor, as it would be, he said, a 
case of life and death. 

After the surrender of Richmond, this colored battalion was ordered to the 
Rio Grande, the great river separating Texas from Mexico. They were lo- 
cated at the mouth of the river, and were on duty here, five and one-half 
months, though sickness began to prevail in the form of chronic diarrhea at 
an early day. Mr. Fields was sick during the entire campaign of five and 
one-half months, and indeed, his system was not free from it for at least four- 
teen months. They were here attached to the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, 
colored. There were one thousand four hundred and seventy in the regiment 
who went to Texas. The whole colored army corps consisted of about sixty 
thousand. Of the one thousand four hundred and seventy above named who 
went to Texas, only one thousand one hundred and four came back, three 
hundred and sixty-six having been left either sick or dead. Maj. Gen. Sheri- 
dan was chief in command. The colored-corps' commander was Gen. Weitzel; 
indeed, it was under him that they had entered Richmond. Their brigadier in 
Texas was Gen. Cole. 

MICHAEL COY. 
Michael Coy was born in the county of Galway, Ireland, March 9, 1829; 
his occupation had been farming. His statement, verbally made, is as fol- 
lows, viz : " I enlisted June 9, 1862, in Company F, Capt. Garlick, For- 
tieth Massachusetts, Col. Dalton. Went into camp at Boxford. Our guns 
were not furnished us till we left the camp. When we left Boxford, we 
were ordered to Washington. Our first stop was at Philadelphia, but that 
was short and only for refreshments, and we proceeded immediately to Balti- 
more and thence to Washington by rail. Our first destination was to Arling- 
ton Heights, five miles from Washington, on the Vii'ginia side. We remained 
at the Heights until March, 1863, when we were ordered down the river to 
the Peninsula. There we remained on service about a month, during which 
we were in the battle at Bottom's Bridge, on the 2d of July, 1863, which 
lasted about half a day. We drove the enemy, although we lost seven hun- 
dred and fifty men. Our next battle was at Seven Pines." [The soldier 
may sometimes be inadvertently incorrect, in regard to the order in which 
events occurred. In this case, I find the battle of Seven Pines was first 
officially reported in the Tribune of February Qth, instead of being subse- 
quent to Bottom's Bridge fight]. " While there, we occupied the fortifications 
of Gen. McClellan early in the war, now nearly in ruins. Our next march 
was to Alexandria, Va., and thence to Williamsburg, Va., by rail. We were 



1861— 1865.J RECAPITULATION" BY REGIMENTS. 427 

expecting a battle with Lee, but were too late to do any fighting, as a battle 
had already taken place. We saw the field where it had been fought, and 
the dead horses upon it. We learned that the Union forces had been victo- 
rious and Lee had retreated." [On turning to the published reports of events 
at Williamsburg in 1863, I find but two recorded, viz : that the Union 
cavalry fell into ambush there on the 7th of February, and that the Union 
camp was broken up April 11th. Neither of these facts appear to coincide 
so fully with the soldier's statements as could be wished]. The soldier (Coy) 
says he never was wounded in battle, nor sick, nor was he ever a prisoner of 
war, but was once wounded in his ankle, by running against a bayonet lying 
on the ground in the night. This injury disabled him about six weeks, during 
which time he was under hospital treatment. On inquiring of him whether 
he was ever where the balls flew, he replied, that in all the battles where he 
fought, men and horses were falling all around him. "At Olustee," says he, 
" we lost two hundred and fifty in tivo hours and forty minutes. We were 
driven off the field in that battle. Previously to this fight we had been 
used as cavalry about six months, but on arriving at Olustee, we dis- 
mounted and fought on foot. Every fourth man was detailed to hold the 
horses during the fight. We were finally discharged in June, 1805, the war 
being over." 

By the Adjutant General's Keport for 1864, page 859 and onward, it ap- 
pears that this regiment (Fortieth Massachusetts), " was one of the few 
Massachusetts regiments that served in the far-off State of Florida. It took 
part in the brave battle of Olustee." After a full record of the history of 
this Fortieth Massachusetts, the report concludes by saying : "No better 
battalion ever left the old Bay State. The banner which was entrusted to 
the regiment to defend and honor, has never been lost, and it will be placed 
beside other battle-stained and weather-beaten colors in the Capitol of the 
State. The battles enumei-ated by Coy in which he was actively engaged, 
should have been before stated. They were at Bottom's Bridge, Seven 
Pines, Charlottestown ; Saint Mary's Creek, and Olustee, Florida; Cold 
Harbor, and Ball's Bluff, Va., these two being the heaviest. There were also 
a few others not now recollected. 

SUMMARY OR RECAPITULATION 

OF THE NAMES OF THE ESSEX SOLDIERS, AS ARRANGED IN THEIR SEVERAL 
REGIMENTS OR OTIIKR ORGANIZATIONS. 

The figures refer to the pages where a sketch of each may be found. 

MASSACHUSETTS SECOND INFANTRY. 
Andrews, Prince A. . . 394 i Duggan, Daniel . . . 417 
Bdrnham, Robert W., Jr. . 417 Howes, Edwin A. . . 41(3 

BURNHAM, RuFDS ... 418 | 

MASSACHUSETTS FIFTH. 
Allkx, Kobkkt Wallace . 415 | Chase, Lyman H. . . 415 



428 



HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 



[Chap. 7. 



MASSACHUSETTS SEVENTH. 
Stationed at Fort Warren. 



Allen, Joseph Oilman 
Andrews, Alburn 
Andrews, Ira, Jr. 
Andrews, William H. 
Bartlett, Jacob 0. 
BuRNHAM, Alfred M. 



388 
388 
389 
388 
389 
388 



BuRNHAM, Jesse . 
BuRNHAM, Otis 
Gilbert John F. . 
Howes, Webster 
Low, Edward 
McIntire, William Henry 



MASSACHUSETTS EIGHTH. 



Haskell, Nathaniel 



Clifford, David E. 



MASSACHUSETTS TWELFTH. 



MASSACHUSETTS SIXTEENTH. 



Andrews, Albert 

MASSACHUSETTS EIGHTEENTH. 
Burnham, James Howe ..... 



388 
389 
389 
389 
389 
389 

385 
397 

382 

415 



MASSACHUSETTS NINETEENTH. 



Andrews, 


Charles Edwin 


419 


Andrews, 


Reuben 


419 


Andrews, 


William A. . 


396 


Burnham, 


John B. 


395 


Burnham, 


William Howe 


394 


Burnham, 


Zenas . 


391 



Butman, Ancill K. 


. 396 


Butman, John C. 


. 424 


Hayden, William H. 


. 396 


Lee, John E. 


. 391 


Morse, Charles F. 


. 419 


Morse, Thomas A. » 


. 421 



MASSACHUSETTS TWENTIETH. 
Low, William B. 

MASSACHUSETTS TWENTY- SECOND. 
Sargent, 0. H. P 

MASSACHUSETTS TWENTY-THIRD. 



Dodge, George . . .418 

Hardy, George C. . . 390 

Haskell, James Frederic . 395 

Low, William E. . . 387 



Sargent, George H. 
Story, Aaron Herbert 

Swett, Simeon 



MASSACHUSETTS TWENTY-FOURTH. 



Andrews, Cyrus (Lieut.) . 420 
Burnham, Harlan P. . . 390 
Howes, Erastus • . . 420 



LuFKijsf, Charles P. 
Martyn, John L. . 
McIntire, Edward E. 



MASSACHUSETTS TWENTY-FIFTH, UNATTACHED. 
Cogswell, George ........ 



386 



404 



397 
406 



419 
415 
397 



390 



1861—1865.1 



RECAPITULATION BY REGIMENTS. 



429 



MASSACHUSETTS THIRTIETH. 



Andrews, Monsieur M. . 397 

LuFKiN, William . . 390 



Koss, George 
Ross, George, Jr. 



MASSACHUSETTS THIRTY-FIFTH. 
Wentworth, George S. ..... . 



398 
399 



393 



Cot, Michael 



MASSACHUSETTS THIRTY-NINTH. 
Dodge, William G. 
Guppy, George F. 
Haskell. Albert A. 
Mears, Rufus E. . 
Mears, Samuel, Jr. 
Story, Asa . 
Varnum, John 

MASSACHUSETTS FORTIETH. 

. 426 I Story, David Lewis 

MASSACHUSETTS 



Andrews, 


Timothy, Jr. 


401 


Burnham, 


Daniel 


399 


Burnham, 


George Foster 


402 


Burnham, 


G. Washington 


410 


Burnham, 


James Horace 


377 


Burnham, 


Wilbur 


422 


Channel, 


John C. 


402 



Andrews, Israel F. 
Andrews, Lyman B. 
Burnham, Albert F., 2d 
Burnham, George F., 2d 
Burnham, Horace 
Burnham, Ira F. 
Burnham, Lamont G. . 
Burnham, Leonard 
Burnham, Lewis 
Callehan, Daniel 
Callehan, Maurice 
Crafts, Franklin 
Crafts, John, Jr. 
Crockett, Charles P. 
Duggan, Morty . 
Hardy, Alphonso M. . 

FIRST MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
All having first enlisted in the Fourteenth Volunteers, infantry. 

Hart, John F. 
Haskell, William P. 
Hull, William H. 
Jones, John S. 
Parsons, John J. • 
Poland, Jeremiah, Jr. 
Tucker, Joseph W. 



Andrews, 


H. Nelson . 


411 


Andrews, 


Stephen P. . 


407 


Burnham, 


Albert Frank 


409 


Burnham, 


Charles A. . 


409 


Burnham, 


David B. . 


407 


Burnham, 


Osgood E. . 


411 


Burnham, 


William H. H. 


396 



400 
402 
403 
399 
414 
393 
423 



400 



ilTTS 


FORTY-EIGHTH. 




377 


Hayden, Luther . 


. 378 


385 


Howes, Charles (Capt 


) . 364 


378 


Jackson, Andrew 


. 378 


377 


James, Washington Wi 


lkins 413 


377 


Kelleher, John . 


. 380 


375 


Kimball, James B. 


. 380 


372 


Low, Aaron 


. 373 


378 


Mahoney, Thomas 


. 380 


378 


Marston, Charles E. 


. 383 


387 


McEachen, John . 


. 379 


379 


Mears, Francis G. 


. 413 


413 


Prest, Robert 


. 379 


413 


Procter, Charles W. 


. 412 


380 


Procter, Joseph, Jr. 


. 412 


412 


Riggs, Solomon A. 


. 376 


378 




» 



376 
406 
409 
416 
412 
416 
376 



430 



HISTOEY OF ESSEX. 



[Chap. 7. 



SECOND MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
BURNHAM, CONSTANTINE . 394 | MeARS, HeNRY C. . . 396 

ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY, UNATTACHED. 
Andrews, Rdfus . . . 394 | Lufkin, Alfred . . . 394 

TWELFTH MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY, UNATTACHED. 
BORNHAM, AbNER. 

FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS LIGHT BATTERY. 
Lander, Edward W 423 

SECOND MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY. 
BuRNHAM, Mark F 382 



FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY. 
Fields, Charles H. . . 425 | Haskell, William A. 

CAVALRY OR MOUNTED RIFLE RANGERS. 



394 



Claiborne, George 


C. 


. 385 


Hatch, Jason 


. 393 


CoosE, William D. 




. 393 


Jones, Samuel Q. 


. 392 






UNITED STATES NAVY. 




Burnham, Albion 




. 415 


Perkins, Gustatus S. . 


. 418 


BuRNHAM, Ezra F. 




. 423 




. 


AT FORT SUMPTER AND OTHER FORTS. 




Lufkin, Albert E. 




• • • 




. 390 



MAINE AND MINNESOTA. 
Howard, William C. . . 414 I Burnham, Rollins M. 



392 



CAPT. B ARSON'S COMPANY FOR COAST DEFENSE. 
Enlisted for one year from December 4, 18G4, but discharged at close of the war. 



Allen, Hervey . 


. 386 


Cogswell, Addison 


. 386 


Andrews, Frank E. 


. 386 


Cogswell, George 


. 396 


Andrews, Gilman 


. 386 


Cook, Moses 


. 391 


Burnham, Alfred M. 


. 388 


Haskell, Nathaniel 


. 385 


Burnham, Andrew F. 


. 391 


Lufkin, Hervey . 


. 391 


Burnham, Francis 


. 391 


Story, Otis . 


. 391 


Burnham, Otis 


. 389 






A pa 


rt of the above 


are re enlistments. 





OBITUARY. 

Names of Essex soldiers slain in battle during the 
War of the Rebellion, or who died subsequently of 
wounds received, or diseases contracted in the army : 

AGED ABOUT. 

CHARLES EDWIN ANDREWS, killed at the battle of White Years. Mos. 
Oak, June 1, 1862, 27 

REUBEN ANDREWS, died of fever at Harper's Ferry, October 

27, 1862, 26 

WILLIAM A. ANDREWS, wounded June 80, 1862; not seen 

afterwards, --- -16 

DANIEL BURNHAM, killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 

6, 1864. I 

OSGOOD E. BURNHAM, wounded May 19, 1864; died May 28, 

1864, 29 

WILBUR BURNHAM, died at Washington of fever. May 21, 1863, • 21 

JOHN C. CHANNEL, died after arriving home. 

CHARLES P. CROCKETT, died at Baton Rouge, May 6, 1863. 

GEORGE DODGE, circumstances and time of death not known. 

ALBERT A. HASKELL, died in Salisbury prison, June 30, 1865, 22 

JAMES FREDERIC HASKELL, died on board the steamer Su- 

wanee, February 3, 1862, 19 7 

WILLIAM P. HASKELL, died January 6, 1862, "- - . . 17 

JASON HATCH, killed in battle at Cedar Creek, Octoberl9, 1864. 

WASHINGTON WILKINS JAMES, died May 13, 1863, - - 22 

CHARLES P. LUFKIN, died of wounds received at Fort Wagner, 

July 29, 1863, 20 

WILLIAM LUFKIN, died of fever in the vicinity of New Orleans, 57 

JOHN L. MARTYN, unknown. 

FRANCIS GILBERT MEARS, died at Baton Rouge, June 21, 

1863, 26 

RUFUS E. MEARS, died in Salisbury prison, October 26, 1864, - 24 

CHARLES F. MORSE, died at hospital after a sickness of about 

two months, 33 

JEREMIAH POLAND, Jr., died May 21, 1864, - ... 34 

GEORGE ROSS, Jk., drowned in the Mississippi River, April 29, 

1862, 18 9 

OLIVER H. P. SARGENT, wounded at Yorktown, May 4, 1862; 

died May 30, 1862, 41 

ASA STORY, died of fever, November 11, 1862, - ... 33 



432 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

The following extracts from a " Welcome to the Sol- 
diers," delivered July 4, 1865, at the town celebration in 
Essex, by the compiler of the foregoing sketches, may 
form a not unfitting close to the foregoing chapter : 

The 4tb of July has opened upon us jubilant, and yet with some clouds of 
sorrow upon its brow ; — ^jubilant, because the defiant Palmetto flag is furled 
as we believe forever, and America for the third time is free. And yet with 
much of sorrow to many, because it finds us mourning for the unreturning 
brave. The tear stands upon many a household hearth to-day. The general 
joy, however, will preponderate and moderate that grief and assuage it. The 
livinc soldier has returned from the war with untarnished laurels, and the 
slain heroes are reposing, every one in his bed of honor. 

WELCOME TO THE SOLDIERS. 

To the commanding officer of the day, (Capt. Howes of the Forty-eighth,) 
late commander on a very different field, and to the brave soldiers all, 1 would 
say, you may be familiar with the worthlessness of human praise, and it is 
not to be denied that it is sometimes empty ; but it does please us, and we 
cannot help it, to welcome you home from the war this day. It relieved our 
hearts somewhat, to break your gentle morning slumbers with the music of 
the village gun, and the bell and the band, and it will please us as much to 
lull you to sleep in the same peaceful way to-night. 

Till an hour ago, I had supposed it would be the agreeable duty of the orator 
of the day [B. H. Smith, Esq., of Gloucester,] to pronounce our welcome in his 
more fitting terms, and I did not intend to make his task the harder by many 
words of mine. Rather would I have smoothed his part, by informing him 
that in this phalanx of veteran men, the wounded and the unwounded, he 
would see the heroes of three and twenty battle-fields. Without strict regard 
to clironological order they have fought at Yorktown, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Roanoke Island, Gettysburg, Newbern, Kinston, Cedar Mountain, 
Wilderness, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, South Mountain, Atlanta, Chattanooga, 
Plain Store, Port Hudson, Winchester, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Olustee, 
Donaldsonville and in the Red River campaign, besides in numerous skir- 
mishes, many of them not quite taking the name of battles. And here are 
the men, who have met no foe on any of these fields of war, before whom 
they could not stand, though the brown hair of every one of their heads has 
whistled to the wind of rebel bullets. We do not for a moment forget our 
glorious, but unreturning twenty four. Peace, peace, to their hallowed mem- 
ories I On the future monument, of which I love to dream, shall all their 
names be carved. 

Essex has put one hundred and forty-three of her own citizens into the 



1861—1865.] ADDEESS OF WELCOME. 433 

country's service, besides thirty-nine strangers, and thirteen substitutes ; mak- 
ing the number of one hundred and ninety-five in all. 

Mr. Commander, brave men in arms, ladies, teachers and scholars of the 
town schools, officers of the town, and citizens generally : — It was the strong 
declaration of a Fourth of July oration, in 1863, that rather than live under 
a dishonored flag, and in a broken Union, it would be better that the last 
man and the last dollar should be followed by the last loved woman and the 
last dime, and they by the last dear child and the last white cent. This, he 
admitted, might be called a strong American exaggeration. He could not of 
course tell how much of life and treasure would be wasted. But you know 
now how small a portion of that treasure has been needed, and how few of 
those precious lives have been yielded, terrible as the war has been in both 
respects. With us, save the "sheeted spirits" of our beloved twenty-four, 
nearly all are here or on their way home, and the war over ! and the flag 
not " dishonored," nor the Union " broken." There is "no unfinished con- 
flict," no "unrighted wrong;" and there will not long be, I think, any "un- 
settled question." I admit that some say otherwise. Dr. Loring and Mr. 
Dana think the war not over, I believe. Should there, by ,any possibility, 
be another appeal to arms, it must be short, with a million men like you, all 
ready. The manly energies of these glorious fellows would carry them, at 
once, if needed, to another Antietam, or South Mountain, or Port Hudson, 
or Gettysburg, or Fair Oaks, or to cross the Rapidan, as they have done, on 
a pontoon in the night ! Especially, fellow-citizens, hear me, especially 
should a delinquent Legislature pass a law, allowing the town to pay the 
bounty to our first forty-seven enlisted soldiers, tvhich all others have received, 
which they ought to have had, and ivhich they shall yet have ! 

OUR SOLDIERS NOT DEMORALIZED. 

Having noticed the noble military bearing, as well as the fine civil and 
gentlemanly bearing of our returned soldiers, I have but little sympathy with 
the oft-uttered sentiment that the demoralized troops are prepared as they 
return to demoralize the community. How it may be sometimes, elsewhere, 
I have no means of knowing, but how truly may it be said of some of the 
Essex soldiers, they went out boys, but have come back men in the best sense 
of the word ! Military life has elevated the character and made the man, in 
multitudes of cases in the history of wars. Adjutant Stearns wrote home 
after having been in the army but a few months, " Father, I am twice the 
man I ever was before." That the temptations are sometnnes strong in army 
life there can be but little doubt ; but as respects our own soldiers, I have 
sometimes put the question, do you know of any Essex soldier who was per- 
fectly temj)erate before the war, who became decidedly and hopelessly intem- 
perate in the army ; and as yet I hear of none. 

SOLDIERS SHOULD HAVE SUBSTANTIAL PAY. 

Let us manifest our regard in some way which they can appreciate. This, 

I fear, is not always done. I have heard of a so-called pliilanthropist, who 
55 



434 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. [Chap. 7. 

would read a lecture to a soldier on the sin of playing cards, when the 
soldier's left arm had been shot off a little above the elbow, and the right 
amputated just below ! — and another, who was advised never to lose any 
more precious time in dancing, when he had had both legs taken off by a 
shell ! That is not the philanthropy that T love. 

And now let me say to the soldiers, that what we failed to do as a recep- 
tion on Sunday, the 22d of August, 1863, as well as on other less noticeable 
days of your return, you will please to understand us as doing now. 

Welcome, a thousand times welcome home, Mr. Commander, and soldiers, 
all. You are to eat no "salt boss," and drink no swamp water, on our ac- 
count to-day. You will be invited to dine at a table spread by the very fair- 
est of fair hands ; and I can close in no more fitting words than those of the 
Kev. John Howe, I think, and say, soldiers, soldiers, ''may your moon he- 
come more and more like the sun, and your midday sun become seven-fold 
brighter than it is/" 

WAR AID OF THE LADIES. 

Turning awhile from the soldiers, for there is beauty here as well as chivalry, 
fair women as well as brave men, I cannot but imagine what brought the 
faces and the forms of our ftiir friends here to day, when they knew well 
enough, that with the men of war among us, much of our talk to-day would 
be about the grim business of bloody fields ! Four years ago to-day, ladies, 
your needles were employed in making havelocks for the army, and in five 
days more, (July 9,) you put them upon Capt. Fuller's men, and indulged 
in the pretty fancy that you had made them soldiers. What inexperience, 
united with what patriotism ! In twelve days more, (July 21), the terrible 
defeat at Bull llun took place, and away went all of our confidence in have- 
locks. You could have wept ; but weeping would not fight battles, and we 
found it time to prepare better for the war. But to repeat my question, 
what has brought sweet smiling woman here to-day ? It was not because the 
war could not have been commenced without her. Alas, it could have been, 
and it was. But believe me, it could not have been conducted and coticluded 
as it was, without infinitely greater loss of blood, had she not stood by, to 
minister to the wounded and the dying ; to put on the bandage, to adjust 
the tourniquet, to aid the surgeon, if not almost to guide the amputating 
knife ; — to wipe away the moisture of the fever ; — to beat up and smooth 
down the pillow, and when nothing more could be done, to reach the cup of 
water ; to point upwards, and to speak of that wondrous One, who has the 
rod and the staff, and who puts the everlasting arms underneath ! and when 
the last pulse had fluttered in one and all was over, and the soldier's form 
was forever still, then to proceed to another and another. 

I say the war could not have been concluded so bloodlessly as it was, 
without the presence of woman, any more than the Crimean war could. My 
fair friends, whose name was it that floated over all other names at Sebasto- 
pol at the close of that war ? Was it Raglan's, the Gen. Grant of that 
battle ? No. Was it Toddleben's the wonderful engineer ? No. Was it 



1861—1865.] ADDEESS OF WELCOME. 435 

St. Armand's, as great a man, I suppose, as either ? No. It was the name 
of Miss Florence Nightingale — and that's whose it was. And now does any 
one venture the fool's question, and ask who our American Florence Night- 
ingale is? I shall let George S. Hillard answer, — " the reason we have no 
one in particular, is because we have so many m general. 

If the presence of Florence N. during a battle and at its close, may have 
been compared to a star looking down upon a troubled sea, as it has been, 
our country has certainly had a galaxy, a milky way of them, hushing the 
troubled waters all to rest. I shall always honor the memory of Miss Kean 
the actress, for taking the fainting head of the dying President in her lap, 
and upon her diamond drfess ; — but bear in mind, this was at Ford's theatre, 
and with two thousand people to look on, whereas the army nurses must 
often, from necessity, be beyond all human observation. 



"A WALK ABOUT TOWN." 

[The gifted author of an interesting History of Candia, N. H., (Rev. F. B. Eaton) 
has, near the close of his work, published at Manchester in that State, in 1852, in- 
troduced a large variety of matters, often of a kind more familiar and interesting to 
the young, than he chose to insert in the body of the book, under the agree3,ble title 
of a " Walk about Town." We trust it will be no violation of the rules of author- 
ship-etiquette, if with this explanation and acknowledgment, the same happy thought 
is followed in a sketcli of Essex, and a part of the remaining pages, after the man- 
ner of " Charming Eare," be entitled "A Walk about Town."] 

THE ANCIENT .MEETING-HOUSES. 

It is painful to notice how little remains by which to 
identify localities, once memorable but now forgotten or 
unknown. A skeleton of a tradition may be floating in 
the air, but how unsatisfactory ! " We ask for the monu- 
ments of Richard's Christian men," while " they show but 
the bones of the infidel Saracen." It is to this day un- 
certain whether the first meeting-house in Chebacco was 
upon the same side of the county road where the buildings 
of Capt. Joseph Choate now stand, or upon the opposite 
side ; there being printed authorities in favor of both. So 
too, the exact locality of the second meeting-house is lost, 
although three years ago, viz., in 1864, the underpinning 
stones marked the square perfectly. The hell of that 
structure which called the generations of Rev. Mr. Wise's 
day to go up for worship as often as the smile of the Sab- 
bath appeared, might have been preserved through com- 
ing years, while on the contrary, all that is now known of 
it is the tradition that when struck it always seemed to 
say " skillet," giving some diminutive idea of the size of 
it, as well as the fact of its having been a cracked bell. 
This at least, was the construction which the wags of that 
day would and did put upon it. That bell weighed one 
hundred and sixty pounds ! And it now seems incredible 
as well as painful that it was not preserved, so much light 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 437 

would the very sight of it have thrown upon the true his- 
tory of that day ! 

But sometimes acts, and even words, as well as things, 
become monuments for perpetuating events, when well 
authenticated, and none other should be allowed to appear 
on the page of history. Indeed, granite and marble are 
too cold to hold the record of very much that the living 
desire to know. 

A very short " walk," southerly, from the second meet- 
ing-house, which stood within some twenty-five feet of 
the present town pound, brings us to the site of the third 
house of worship, and which was built in 1752, for Rev. 
Mr. Cleaveland's society. A union of this society with 
that just referred to having been effected in 1774, the 
united society erected the 2)rese7it Orthodox • church in 
1792. When erected, and until remodeled in 1842, it 
was crowned with a small dome, and that dome was sur- 
mounted by a ball. A deed of valor and daring was per- 
formed by one of the young men of that day, which has 
never been recorded ; Thomas Giddings, then of Chebacco, 
now living at a great age in Maine, unless very recently 
deceased, went up to the ball, stood upon it with one foot, 
and swung his hat ! This feat was witnessed by many, 
and was related to the writer a few years since by Mr. 
John Choate, since deceased, who witnessed it, being then 
a small boy. The height of that ball from the ground can- 
not now be precisely determined. It was probably eighty 
feet. The bell of the present house is a noble one, never 
says skillet, like the former, nor does it sound like one.* 

*A passage of words once d'escribed by Capt. James Perkins, late of London- 
derry, N. H., is thought worth preserving, relating, as it does, to the location of the 
present Orthodox church, built, as above stated, in 1792. The people were not 
unanimous witli regard to the spot where it should stand, as had indeed been tiie 
case in Rev. Mr. Wise's day, many years before. Jonathan Cogswell, Jr., Esq., and 
his friends had selected the old gravel pit, where the three roads met, an<l Thomas 
Choate and his friends, chiefly from tlie south side of the river, had a preference 
for the spot where it now stands, undoubtedly the best in the town. A short specimen 
of the "logic and the wisdom and the wit," if not of the "loud laugh " itself, lets 
us into the spirit of the times. Squire Cogswell with a few, but well chosen words, 
when urging the superior advantages of the gravel pit lot, would bo let into by Jolm 



438 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

BRIDGE CONTEMPLATED IN 1852. 

Remains of the horse bridge across the river, referred 
to in a former part of this work, are still visible upon its 
banks at the farm of the late Adam Boyd, formerly of 
Jonathan Cogswell, Esq. As vessel building has increased, 
good building lots have become scarce. It has been al- 
ready stated that the demand for larger vessels than for- 
merly, made it necessary at length to build wholly upon 
the hanks of the river. It was this fact that led a large 
number of the citizens of Essex in 1852, to petition the 
Legislature to authorize the County Commissioners to al- 
low a bridge to be constructed at the same place where 
the horse bridge before referred to, formerly stood. A 
part of the design of the petitioners was to open a road be- 
ginning at or near the mouth of the lane leading by the 
house, then of Col. John P. Choate, now Mr. E. K. Lee, 
and continue it upon a str^-ight course by the house of 
Mr. Boyd, and so on, to and over the river, and to strike 
the Gloucester road, nearly opposite the house of Mr. 
Oliver Pierce. This, it will be seen, would have thrown 
open vessel-building lots all the way from the contem- 
plated bridge to the creek which separates the Boyd farm 
from that of Messrs. Albert and Jonathan Cogswell. The 
petition was referred to the Legislative Committee on 
Roads and Bridges, before whom a long and patient hear- 
ing was had, in the Senate-chamber, on the 2d of March, 
1852. The case on the part of the petitioners was ably 
presented by William D. Northend, Esq., of Salem, at- 
torney at law, and that of the town as respondents, by 

Emerson, " You're all self, Squire, just cause you live close to it." Mr. Cogswell 
continued to urge his reasons coolly, when Mr. Emerson applied the touch of ridi- 
cule, " Squire, Squire," said he, raising his voice, " I guess it will do very well. Squire ; 
go up on the hill, take a hand-sled, and you can slide right into the window." 
Squire Cogswell's words grew fewer, as they approached the climax, only, adding, 
" If you'll set it at the gravel pit, I'll level the spot." Ordinarily, this might have 
settled the question, but Mr. Choate threw in the make-weight, "If you'll go to 
the hill /'// fix the spot." This, along with the recollection of Mr. Emerson's hund- 
sled settled the question, the " Squire " himself surrendering as gracefully as circum- 
stances would admit. 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 439 

Obed B. Low, Esq., of Boston, attorney at law, and for- 
merly of Essex. The committee reported a bill agreeably 
to the prayer of .the petitioners, but it failed to pass; the 
grand objection being that of interrupting the navigation 
of the river, and more especially the passage of vessels 
built above. An incidental advantage of the proposed 
road and bridg-e would have been a considerable shorten- 
ing of the distance from Ipswich to Gloucester. 

INDIAN RELIC. 

About the year 1810, a cellar was dug opposite the 
house of George W. Burnham, trader, for the dwelling- 
house now owned and occupied by the heirs of John 
Boyd, deceased, but then being built for Thomas M. Burn- 
ham, father of 0. H. Perry Burnham, of Boston. One of 
the workmen, Moses Andrews, senior, deceased, in exca- 
vating, struck a stone, which, upon having the earth re- 
moved, presented the appearance of a man's head. It 
was of granite. Such was the interest taken in this' head 
that Mr. B. had it set up upon the corner post of his front 
yard. A little paint was added, to mark the features, and 
it remained there for years. On removing to Boston Mr. 
Burnham carried the stone head, and at length sold it to 
a gentleman of Boston interested in antiquarian matters, 
who also sold it to other parties, upon a representation, it 
is said, of its being the work of Roman hands, inasmuch 
as the features were to some extent imitations of the 
Roman. It was purchased by two gentlemen from Eu- 
rope, Danes, and was long exhibited in an antiquarian 
collection of curiosities at Copenhagen, where it was seen 
and recognized by an American Captain, formerly of 
Chebacco. This head was of course the work of the red 
man of America, made with no other tool than a stone 
hatchet, and may have been, and no doubt was, an object 
of worship. That any well informed European traveler 
could have made himself believe it was the work of the 
Romans, and most of all that it should have been admit- 



440 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 

ted into such a Museum, upon such a representation, is 
not a httle surprising. If imposition was practiced upon 
a traveler from abroad, it is some satisfaction to know, it 
was by no Chebacco man. The original finding of the 
head, indeed, was verified by the finder, Mr. Andrews, 
who signed and swore to the affidavit setting forth the 
facts. But no opinion of his made any part of his affi- 
davit. It is now said, that on its being sent back to Bos- 
ton, damage was demanded for deception. Of this, how- 
ever, nothing certain is now known. 

WITCHCRAFT. 

No one, it is presumed, could take a very long walk 
about toian, without a frequent disposition to inquire, not 
only what manner of stones and buildings formerly stood 
here, but also and more especially, what kind of men and 
women and children dwelt here. No reference is made by 
this inquiry to such men as William White, or John Cogs- 
well, or Goodman Bradstreet, or any others, male or fe- 
male, whose names were never allowed to die ; but to the 
mass of men — to the three hundred of the rank and file 
of old Chebacco at the close, if you please, of the seven- 
teenth century. The pulpit was doing its work gloriously 
and had been from the beginning ; so the press was throw- 
ing off its weekly seven by nine ; and the common school 
scholars were studying Dil worth and the Psalter. But all 
this left a vast amount of unoccupied mind and talent, 
that must and would train itself Arrivals from England 
were occasional, and all loved to hear from, fader-land ; 
and on a great variety of subjects England pitched the 
tunes for us to sing. And now, would it not be past be- 
lief for example, in a community, settled half a century 
before the Salem witchcraft, if no legendary tales upon 
that fruitful topic should find ears to fall upon, in old 
Ipswich and its Chebacco child? Yes, ^mst belief, it must 
have been, that none of the gentry who everywhere else 
could ride through the air upon a broomstick and pass in 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 441 

and out tlirongh the smallest key-hole of your chamber^ as 
easily as through the widest open door — if none of this 
gentry ever ventured over Haffield's Bridge, the bridge 
where the towns of Ipswich and Essex now meet. 

The gifted author of the History of Gloucester, p. 321, 
remarks that " no account of the part borne by Gloucester 
men in the expedition to Louisburg would be complete 
without the story of Peg Wesson," the witch. It is true 
that not every town is able to point to the proven fact of 
the existence of any particular Peggy. But inasmuch as 
the historic record proves the fact (see Felt's History of 
Ipswich), that Chebacco men helped to drag Sir William 
Pepperell's cannon across the beach at Louisburg, who will 
presume to say that Chebacco men were not as really 
brought up in the fear and belief of witchcraft in general 
and Miss Wesson's claim to her honors as a witch in j^ar- 
ticiUar, as though they had really lived along side of "the 
old building on Back street, in Gloucester," or even in the 
"Garrison" itself. We have high authority for gathering 
up legendary tales and ancestral recollections. We con- 
fess with shame to a remissness in this part of " every- 
body's duty;" and with a tearful regret that so much is 
lost irrecoverably, would claim for the honor of our birth- 
right upon Hog Island, that the old homestead was hon- 
ored with a now and then visit from " Peggy Wesson " or 
some kind friend of hers. How else are we to account 
for the fact that the {arm-horse was sometimes found 
hitched to the corner of the house at an early hour in the 
morning, "all of a lather," with his mane tied into un- 
questioned witch-knots, when a few minutes inquiry among 
the three or four families upon that island satisfied you 
that nobody had been out of their house for the night ; 
unless the horse had been taken once in a while to ride 
upon, instead of the broomstick ? 

The propitious horseshoe was not nailed up upon every 
dwelling in town for the exclusive purpose of attaching the 
clothes line to it, by any means. 

56 



442 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

And then, as those days and scenes gradually passed 
away, other events bordering on the marvellous would 
come in to the aid of superstitious belief — the rag-man 
was always ready to come down chimney after the boy 
that could not help playing Sunday. The story of the 
Babes in the Wood could not long satisfy the demand for 
exciting incident, and what was wanting in fact would be 
supplied by fancy. Real advance or retrocession in society 
can be detected only by weighing and guaging the masses 
of one epoch, against their descendants of another epoch, 
in the same scales ; that is, determining the status of the 
public mind at different periods in regard to the same 
matters. If the superstition and ignorance of a given 
age melt away before actual intelligence, education and 
refinement in that which succeeds it, then society has ad- 
vanced ; the ][)ercentage is not so easily determined. It 
is som,etJmig, indeed, almost everything, to know that the 
load of the night-mare is removed forever, without being 
obliged to prove just what that load weighed. It is not 
pretended that there is no room for further improvement. 
Superstitious observances and bad signs are yet fellow- 
boarders and dear friends of the skeleton, which we are told 
is to be found in every house. But when even light litera- 
ture, and more especially that which is substantial, comes 
i?i at the door, the gentry above named must go out at the 
window. 

It is not the most agreeable task in the world, in the 
abstract, to hold up the past age to the present, but we 
hold to progress, and insist that it is a better world to live 
in than it was once ; a better world than when Paul fought 
with wild beasts at Ephesus ; better than when the He- 
brew children were cast in a furnace of fire ; or to come 
down to New England's day, it is a better world to live in 
than when the raio heads and bloody bones of the nursery 
stood by every member of the family, man and boy, as 
long as they lived. At the close of the last century, like 
the close of the preceding, the moral atmosphere, if not 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 443 

full of witchcraft itself, was so impregnated with a re- 
siduum, of it, that it wanted another hundred years to set- 
tle in. When a boy would rather have his ears boxed than 
go down cellar alone, or go to bed in the dark, and this 
fear of the invisible, permeated through every order of 
society ; there was very nearly an end to social and com- 
mercial intercourse. Nothing was too absurd not to have 
votaries. Men would sometimes reason as correctly upon 
wrong principles, and unestablished facts, as they would at 
other times reason incorrectly upon right ones. When 
the imagination was heated, it became a race-horse with- 
out a rider. An incident or two may illustrate. For many 
years at about the close of the last century and the com- 
mencement of the present, a Chebacco gentleman of the 
first respectability was a member of the board of select- 
men, and as the meetings of the board were held in the 
body of the town at Ipswich, and frequently continued 
into the evening and night, he would often be returning 
at mid nigh £. The remarkable fact connected with these 
nocturnal rides, was that in crossing Hatfield's bridge, a 
light was generally, if not invariably, kindled up upon 
each of the horse's ears; coming on quietly, but unmis- 
takably, as he entered at the northern end of the cause- 
way, and as quietly leaving them on his leaving the cause- 
way at its southern terminus. It was never injurious to 
the venerable traveler ; but what was it, and what its busi- 
ness? The tradition that aids us in the investigation is, 
that during some of those years when the causeway was 
low, and consequently often overflowed by the tide, a 
traveler had been lost there or came to grief or damage, 
and though this part of the case was not very clearly ver- 
ified, yet it was surely believed, and the town was thus 
punished in the person of one of its principal officers, un- 
til the road, causeway and bridge were properly raised 
above the tide ; for after that was done the selectman was 
neither troubled nor honored with any more lights upon 
his horse's ears when passing that bridge. 



444 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 

Some of our boys and young men may, perhaps, have 
quite as much fondness for active as for still hfe, and will 
tell us that the natural scenery of the town speaks for it- 
self, and they can read out all it has to say ; but of the 
people of former years who are now, and have been long 
abroad, whom they have not seen and are not likely to 
see, they would like to know something, especially if they 
have made any mark worth remembering. 

In a walk about town not long since, the site of the 
first Falls school-house brought to mind the long-a-go 
pupils, or at least some of them. Their history has 
already been made the subject of a sketch in a former 
chapter of the present History. Reference is had just 
now to some of the common name of Burnham, as West- 
ley, Samuel, Zaccheus. A later "walk" along the site of 
the old North school-house, when standing between the 
present dwellings of Jonathan Low and David Mears, has 
called up the green memories of others, and some of 
whom have spent most of life abroad. Among those who 
drank of the old North school spring, still living and ac- 
tive, but unknown to most persons under twenty years 
of age, was Thomas Sewall, [now the Rev. Dr. S. of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, fifty years old]. His resi- 
dence in Essex was not perfectly continuous after the 
age of boyhood, and yet he attended our school as late 
as about 1832. He was a fine speaker and reader, hav- 
ing enjoyed the instructions of Prof Russell at Phillips 
Academy, in Andover. 

In the Spring of 1842, our young friend, having grad- 
uated at Middletown, Conn., and having entered upon the 
study of the.ology, went upon a foreign tour in company 
with Rev. Dr. Durbin with whom he was then studying, 
and several other gentlemen. Their travels lay through 
parts of England and several other countries of Europe, 
Arabia and the Holy Land. While in England, he visited 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 440 

many spots made dear by the recollection of his child- 
hood reading and nursery training. " This letter " says 
he, in writing to an Essex relative, "I have pressed to 
the tombstones of John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, and the 
Wesleys, just for the notion of it." But it was an in- 
stance of his personal, individual prowess and bodily 
activity that is to be here recited, a case where a Che- 
bacco school-boy beat an Arabian runner on his own 
sands. Some twenty in all were upon the camels together, 
or perhaps some resting in walking and loitering. "I sup- 
pose," said our Thomas, to one of the Arab guides, " you 
are a swift runner ?" It was said pleasantly and taken so, 
yet with the addition, " if you will come down, I show 
you," giving him to understand he felt it to be a chal- 
lenge. A wager must always be laid in such a case, and 
Sewall merely threw down a few pice, knowing he should 
lose them. The Arab on the other hand laid down the 
best things he had — his sword and belt, knowing he 
should win. The ground was marked off and the judges 
appointed. Sewall commenced by a good but not his 
best run. He perceived almost at once, however, that he 
was fully up with the Arab. His first thought was that it 
was but a make-believe on the Mahometan's part, till a 
glance assured him that the man of the desert was doing 
his best. Our Essex boy, on perceiving that, quickened his 
pace, and there upon the yielding sands of that sandy 
country, Thomas Sewall heat the Arab and took the trojjliy 
by unanimous consent. The interpreter of the company 
told our countrymen that he could hear the Arab with 
deep mortification, declare that there was n't a man on the 
desert that could run so. Before the final separation of 
that little caravan, such was the deep humiliation of our 
Arab runner, for the loss of his sword and belt, that Mr. 
Sewall made him a present of the former, and if our recol- 
lection is correct, paid him something for the belt, which 
he exhibited to American friends on his return home ; 
thus leaving some salutary impressions of foreign etiquette 



446 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. 

upon the heathen's mind as well as some belief that even 
an American knows how to run. An instance of this same 
Chebacco boy's native persistence of character in very 
early childhood, may as well be mentioned, perhaps. When 
a number of boys much older and larger than himself, 
were one day at play in the yard, they suddenly all had 
occasion to go out of the yard, and because the gate 
would not easily open, they all climbed over except the 
boy in question. It excelled his power, but he was " not 
to be beat," and perceiving an opening under the gate, 
where one would hardly say a kitten could go, he rubbed 
his way under about as quick as the rest went over. 
" Well, master Tom," said a venerable lady looking on, 
" you'll do sonething yet in the world." As a comment 
upon this prognostication, the Rev. Dr. Cook, himself, a 
distinguished Methodist clergyman, remarked to the 
writer a few years since, " Sir, we consider the Rev. Mr. 
Sewall as the Summerfield of America. 

GEOLOGY OF ESSEX. 
The geological character of Essex is deserving of no- 
tice. Sienite is the leading element, though President 
Hitchcock's map exhibits Alluvium in the northern part 
of the town. Traces of paint deposits have been discov- 
ered in at least two different localities, one in the large 
pasture commonly called White's Hill, and the other in 
the woodlands. From an out-cropping in a wood-lot be- 
longing to the heirs of the late Zaccheus Burnham, a quan- 
tity was taken near the surface, some years since, which 
upon being sifted merely, was used for the first painting 
of Mr. Burnham's house. It lasted well and it is believed 
that the usual manufacturing processes would show it to 
be a paint of good, it may be, superior quality. But this 
is not the only mineral to be found in Essex. The Mass- 
achusetts Society for the promotion of Agriculture, in 
their published " Transactions " for 1861, New Series, Vol. 
I. Part III. pp. 309, 310, discourse as follows: "Allusion 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 447 

has before been made to limestone in Newbury, and it 
may be added that iron gives evidence of being present 
to some extent. There is a deposit of iron, it is believed, 
of great purity in the town of Essex. No exploration 
has been yet made, but the effect ujDon the magnetic 
needle, is without a precedent, as it is confidently believed ; 
viz.: such as to deflect the needle seventy-two degrees in 
a distance of four rods. The deposit must therefore be 
greatly concentrated. It may indeed prove to be a com- 
bination of minerals of very little value, as is sometimes 
found to be the case, and still produce all that effect upon 
the needle above described. Its power, however, exceeds 
that which was found by Dr. Hitchcock, at Canaan Moun- 
tain, Connecticut, and which he describes in Silliman's Sci- 
entific Journal, but which deflected the needle only fifty or 
fifty-two degrees in a distance of ten rods, but which he 
nevertheless supposed to be iron ore of sufficient purity to 
pay well for exploring. This deposit of iron, if it be one, 
is to be met with in a "Walk" less than half a mile from 
the dwelling-house formerly owned and occupied by the 
late Asa Burnham. 

DESCRIPTION OF SCENERY BY A VISITOR. 

A distinguished clergyman, after preaching here in 
June, this y^ar (1867), took a Monday morning walk 
about our town, and as is common, saw so much more than 
native residents ever do see, that no apology will be made 
for an extract of his " correspondence of the Traveler," as 
published in that paper of June 20th : 

" Do you desire to see a beautiful town, and people living in peace and 
primitive simplicity? Why, then, leave your dusty sanctum, your scissors 
and your pigeon-holes, and come down to old Chobacco for a day or two. 
You will find the venerable descendants of the original Pilgrims, — Coorswell, 
Burnham, Low, Choate, et alias, inhabiting the very grounds which those 
good men received from England's King — bearing their names, their linea- 
ments ; thinking their thoughts, sustaining their principles, and realizing to 
some extent their expectations. 

*' It would do your soul and body good to see these hardy men of Essex ; 
to taste their hospitality ; to observe their thrift and industry, and to hear 



448 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

the stories wbich they tell of daring exploits on the deep, or of the olden 
times. Or if you love the Summer breeze and Summer beauty, if you love 
to gaze on scenery, varied picturesque, enchanting, ascend with me "White's 
Hill," above the village, on a rosy morning. Turn your eye around from 
the towers and trees of distant Ipswich, inland to quiet Rowley, thence over 
hills of deepest green to the silver shimmering of the beautiful Chebacco, as 
it winds along the vales beneath you ; see it gleam among the foliage of the 
village at your feet and now dotted with s;iil, go sparkling in the early beam 
of day, to mingle gently with the waters of the ocean. 

The spot where the Chebacco first meets your eye, reminds you of "that 
vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet;" and at the confluence of this 
beautiful river, with the ocean just before you, rises the rounded form of 

Hog Island, birth-place of Rufus Choate But come and see the 

boats we build. None stauncher, trimmer, fleeter, breast the waves of 
ocean. Mr. Cooper, in the " Pilot," has honored us in making Capt. 
Barnstable commander of the never-to-be-forgotten Ariel, hail from " old 
Chebacco," and Capt. Kane had the good sense to sail to the North Pole in 
timber put together on the Chebacco river. 

" Our natural curiosity par excellence, is " Martin's Rock," a mass of 
cloven granite blocks piled fantastically, no mortal can divine just how or when. 
On this grotesque aggregation of rock, which rises some dozen feet upon the 
summit of a rocky knoll, the late Winthrop Low, Esq., erected a liberty pole, 
fastening it with iron clamps and spikes into the solid base 

" But do not understand me to say that our dear old town, though beau- 
tiful, is perfect. We want a railroad, we intend to have one ; we want a 
town-house and town-clock, a high school, public library, hotel and a bank ; 
we want more charity, less scandal, and less rum, and more than this, we 
want and ask and invite you, Mr. Traveler, as I said in the beginning, to 
leave your dusty cabinet, your musty books and papers, anij the hubbub of the 
* Hub,' a day or so, and come and breathe the invigorating atmosphere and see 
the beauties of the well turned, quiet rolling ' Hub' of old Cape Ann." 



EFFORTS FOR A RAILROAD. 

The fact that a railroad is upon the programme of facili- 
ties which old Chebacco is still wanting, is not wholly 
voluntary on the part of the people of the town. And as 
we cannot ride in a car, we continue our walk, though we 
find we cannot go far in any direction without crossing 
some one of the lines already surveyed and even staked 
out for a railroad within the last few years. 

It it sometimes said reproachfully, that Essex, the very 
namesake of the county, is the only town in the county, 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 449 

still without that grand facility. If there were no abso- 
lute necessity for a road, it surely would be no reproach 
to do without it. No town or other corporation ought to 
lay out a hundred and fifty or two hundred thousand dol- 
lars merely for the sake of being in the fashion. But 
Essex is environed on nearly every side by high land. 
You can go to neither Ipswich, Gloucester, Salem, Beverly, 
or Wenham Depot, without encountering hills, rising in 
some parts of their ascent, as rapidly for short distances 
as the Simplon over the Alps, or the Holy-head road in 
North Wales ; at least we are told so. 

The first effort made for obtaining railroad facilities for Essex, was in the 
Autumn of 1844, at the time when the Eastern Railroad Company were 
contemplating a branch to Gloucester. The then president of the road, 
stated to a committee from Essex, that if the corporation could be satisfied that 
a road from Gloucester through Essex would pay them a certain per cent., 
such a road would be built without any doubt. The statistics were collected, 
and a stronger case was made out than he had contemplated ; so much so, 
that he caused a scientific survey of the road to be made in June, 1845. 
Probably a stronger case was made in favor of the present route ; at any rate the 
road was never built, and that phantom ship went on to the rocks a total loss. 

Essex moved again in 1848, by petitioning the Legislature to charter a rail- 
road from a point near the center of Essex, over Foster's bridge to the Eastern 
Railroad, at or near the twenty-second mile post from Boston, the distance 
from said bridge, being 3 jVo miles. A hearing of the petitioners .was had 
before a Legislative Committee on the 13th of March, and a charter was ob- 
tained, but no patronage ever smiled upon that enterprise, and it was still-horn. 

In 1850 again, a company in Boston explored the great Chebacco, or 
Essex Pond, with a view to the ice trade, and determined to construct a rail- 
road from that beautiful sheet of water to Wenham depot. Such a road 
could have been continued from the pond to the center of Essex, by our citi- 
zens alone. Some important member of the Boston company, however, 
seceded, as we were told, and all those prospects melted away before the ice 
melted that Spring in the pond. 

Nothing disheartened, however, the Essex friends of a road rallied once 
more in the Winter of 1865-6. Having before us the example of Rock- 
port and several towns in the western part of the State, a town meeting was 
called for the purpose of asking leave of the Legislature to use the town's 
credit to the amount of $50,000. This sum indeed had been voted by the 
town in anticipation of the laiv, and with great if not with perfect unanimity. 
The town's action was somewhat premature, although that alone interposed 

no serious difficulty. Before a new meeting could be called, liowever, for 
57 



450 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. 

the purpose of complying strictly with the terms of the charter, local inter- 
ests antagonized, and upon that rock, this last ship, like that of 1845, went 
to pieces, a total loss. Upon such a state of facts, moralists must moralize ; 
we have no heart to. Possibly some future Nelson may point out a " cause 
and cure." Oh, come the day ! for many who desire to see it, have already 
died without the sight. 

TOWN BURYING -GROUND. 

Notwithstanding most of the recent interments have 
been made in the Spring Street Cemetery, yet family con- 
siderations still lead to the occasional occupation of the 
old burying-ground. A recent walk has brought us to the 
fresh grave of John Dexter, late of Manchester but for- 
merly of this town ; and as the following sketch contains 
much of historical value generally, we offer no apology 
for inserting it, as published in the Salem Gazette of the 
15th of October, 1867 : 

" John Dexter, the subject of this sketch, was born in Maiden, in this 
State, February 16, 1776. He was the son of William Dexter, a farmer, of 
German descent. He worked on his father's farm when there were no bridges 
connecting Boston with Charlestown, and it took two days to get a load of 
hay from the farm to Boston and back again, with the team, having to go 
round through Cambridge and over the neck. Having a step-mother who 
was severe with him, he left his father's house at the age of fifteen years, to 
learn a cooper's trade of Captain Pitchard, of Medford, with whom he worked 
till about the agp of nineteen years, when he went on a voyage to the West 
Indies as a cooper. He next went a voyage to France, as mate of a vessel. 
On his return from this voyage he married Judith W. Sawyer, of Gloucester, 
and established himself as a small trader in Essex, then a portion of Ipswich, 
called ' Chebacco Parish.' Mr. Dexter soon identified himself with the 
people he settled among, by engaging in the boat building and clam business. 
His first vessel was of that description called ' Chebacco Boats,' of eighteen 
or twenty tons burthen, with two masts, pink stern, — that is, sharp at both 
ends, but designed to sail only one way, — a kind of craft much used for fish- 
ing in those days, along our coast and the shores of Maine, which gave em- 
ployment to many men and boys, and rendered Wood Island, Damaris Cove, 
Frenchman's Bay, and Mount Desert, familiar places. He afterwards built 
many boats, schooners and brigs, some of which he employed in fishing and 
commercial trade. He engaged largely in the ' bait business,' giving employ- 
ment sometimes to a hundred men in digging the clams, shocking, packing 
and marketing. His sales were made in Gloucester, Marblehead, Boston, 
Cape Cod and elsewhere. That Bank in Essex probably never discounted 
more freely, than while Mr. Dexter was one of the Directors. 



MR. JOHN DEXTER. 451 

" Mr. Dexter being fully identified with the interests of Essex gave his in- 
fluence on the side of all enterprises started for the benefit of the place. At 
this time communication between Pjssex and Manchester was by the way of 
the ' Old Road,' as it is now called, a crooked, hilly road, as may be easily 
conceived by those who have never traveled over it, by the names given to 
some places on that road, viz: the ' Ram's Horn,' ' Steep Pitch,' &c. Hay 
from Essex to Manchester in those days was teamed around through Hamil- 
ton, Wenham and Beverly. Mr. Dexter, in his frequent journeys to Salem, 
Marblehead, Boston, and elsewhere, in the course of his business, traveled 
over this old road, and knowing from his acquaintance with the woods lying 
between Essex and Manchester, in the pursuit of timber for his vessels, that 
a better way could be had, he earnestly advocated a new road from Essex to 
Manchester, at a time when the economical policy of the county was to re- 
quire the towns in which new roads were located to build them at the expense 
of such towns, which policy naturally caused the strong opposition of those 
who would not derive any immediate benefit from such road. Mr. Dexter's 
party prevailed, however, and he spent many days in looking out the best 
line for the road, and in carrying the surveyor's chain through ' Cedar Swamp.' 
The road was built, and now affords one of the most pleasant drives in the 
county, as many of our summer residents from Boston know and appreciate. 
Over this road now runs a daily coach from Essex to Manchester, and a large 
amount of heavy teaming of materials for vessel-building is carried. He was 
a large stockholder in the Essex Mill Corporation, a company that dammed 
the ' Chebacco River,' at the causeway in Essex, and erected a saw-mill and 
grist-mill, and run a carding machine ; for at that time the manufacture of 
cloth was done in families, and farmers raised their own wool, and having 
their carding done by machinery was thought to be a great advancement in 
the arts. One incident of the building of this dam, it may not be out of 
place to mention here. The owners of marsh, above the dam, fearing that 
their crop of hay would be greatly diminished or spoiled in consequence of 
the water being kept back on the marsh, sued the corporation for damage ; 
but before the case came to trial, they were satisfied that the crop had in- 
creased rather than diminished. They therefore withdrew their case from 
court. 

" Mr. Dexter, like many others who have prospered in business, had a de- 
sire for farming, and in 1836 he gave over his business in Essex (where he 
had been thirty-eight years) to a son, and bought a farm in Danvers, where 
he lived about eight years, only four of which, however, he spent on his farm. 

" In politics Mr. Dexter was republican, having in early life been a repub- 
lican of the "old school," afterwards a whig during the existence of that 
party, and since a republican of the ' Lincoln school.' He voted for Presi- 
dent Lincoln, and was a firm supporter of his administration and policy du- 
ring the war of the rebellion and since. At the time of Mr. Dexter's de- 
cease he was living in Manchester with his fourth wife. As I said before, ho 
married in 1798 Judith W. Sawyer, of Gloucester, who died in 1815. By 



452 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 

this wife were born all his children, eight in number, three only of whom 
survive him, one son and two daughters. In 1816 he married Mrs. Sarah 
Hooper, of Manchester, who lived but a few months. She died in June, 
1816, suddenly. He married for his third wife Miss Eliza Elwell, of Glou- 
cester, in 1818, who died in 1842, while they lived in Danvers. Believing 
in the declaration of Scripture, that, ' it is not good that the man should be 
alone' he in 1844 married Mrs. Mahala L. Byer, of Manchester, a lady 
much younger than himself, but a person well calculated to render his home 
pleasant in the decline of life. Having been liberal with his means in assist- 
ing his children in business, he deliberately made his will many years since, 
by which he made specific and liberal provision for his widow, free from the 
restrictions so frequently imposed in such cases. Having lived a life of tem- 
perate habits, ik the true meaning of that term, he enjoyed good health and 
lively spirits, and at last died from mere exhaustion of the system, having for 
thirty-three days taken only cold water, with a little wine or cider a few times. 
Being nearly free from pain, having the full exercise of his reason, with the 
power of speech to the last, and being constantly attended by his wife or 
some of his children, his departure from this life could not be contemplated 
under more agreeable circumstances. He died with hopes full of immortal- 
ity, fully resigned to the will of God, on the morning of October 2d, aged 
91 years, 7 months and 16 days, and was buried in Essex on the 5th, among 
the graves of two of his wives and his deceased children. 



EEV. JOHN WISE. 

As you enter this ancient burying ground, the most ele- 
vated object that strikes the eye, is a monument of sand- 
stone, supported by four granite pillars, near the center of 
the cemetery and which covers the grave of Mr. Wise. The 
life of this great man, minister, patriot and statesman, is 
fully delineated elsewhere, and by many writers. And 
yet to walk over the fields of the town and among its 
monuments, without stopping to wipe the dust from Mr. 
Wise's stone, would almost be one of those sins that are 
not to be forgiven. 

The first man in America ever known to oppose the 
idea of taxation without representation sleeps in the grave 
of the Rev. John Wise, of Chehacco. For this he was 
imprisoned, as all the world know, by Sir Edmund Andros, 
and with other Ipswich men had $5,000 to pay in money 
as a part of the penalty. 



A WALK ABOUT TOWN. 453 

Of the 2;i(6/ic life and acts of Mr. Wise, however, it is 
not proposed here to say much. The reading world know 
what his life was and what his acts were, almost " by 
heart." But a reference to the heretofore published vol- 
ume of the present History, gives us a hint at that por- 
tion of his life, which would be likely to escape the notice 
of Allen & Sprague, and other biographers. It is admit- 
ted that drapery, even tradition if the world pleases, are 
terms sometimes applied to sketches of the obscurer por- 
tions of a man's life ; but the ivy clings not more closely 
to the oak, than the description and embellishment in this 
case, gather about the real and substantial part of the 
narrative, and indeed throughout this work.* 

BISHOP'S GRAVE. 
In the fourth range of Chebacco wood-lots, number 
two hundred and eighty-five, as found upon the Com- 
moners' book, is a spot made memorable by the fact of 
its containing " Bishop's grave." The lot of land belongs 
to the heirs of the late Jonathan Story, Esq., and lies not 
far from half-way between the great pond and the road to 
Manchester. The history of the man buried there, is ob- 
scure, but by no means traditionary as the term is often 
understood. As stated verbally by the late Col. David 
Story, to the writer and a few others, while at the grave 
a few years since, this Mr. Bishop, then residing in the 
south part of the town, was away from home one evening 
making a call on a distant neighbor. On leaving the 
neighbor's house, it being intensely dark, he lost his way. 
We hardly need to be told that search was made, but un- 
availingly. The body was found the next Spring, on 
the spot where the head and foot stone lie, and was buried 
by order of the Selectmen of the town. Col. Story fixed 
the time at about the year 1770, although he did not claim 
to be accurate. 

* Since it has been decided to publish the two vohimes of our History in one, the 
insertion of a farther sketch of Rev. Mr. Wise, becomes unnecessary. 



Appendix. 



RECORD OF MARRIAGES 

SOLEMNIZED BJ REV. JOHN CLEAVELAND, DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS OF 

HIS LIFE. 

Jonathan Perkins and Dorcas Haskell, both of Ipswich. 

Francis Burnham, 3d, and Anna Goodhue, both of Ipswich. 

Solomon Burnham and Elizabeth Kirby, both of Ipswich. 

William Cogswell, 3d, and Mary Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Mark Burnham, Jr., and Margaret Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Nathaniel Holmes and Susannah Story, both of Ipswich. 

Thomas Lee and Ruth Allen, both of Manchester. 

Arthur Dennis and Lucy Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Joseph Cogswell, Jr., and Hannah Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Ezekiel Allen and Mary Procter, both of Manchester. 

Nathan Story, Jr., and Joanna Foster, both of Ipswich. 

Caleb Burnham and Jemima Pulsifer, both of Ipswich. 

Thomas Baker and Mary Choate, both of Ipswich. 

John Elmerton and Ruth Rust, both of Ipswich. 

Josiah Poland and Mehitable Lufkin, both of Ipswich 

At Manchester (there being no settled minister there) the Rev. Thomas 

Worcester of Salisbury, N. H., and Deborah Lee of Manchester. 
Isaac Allen, and Joanna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 
John Edwards, Jr., and Bethiah Foster, both of Manchester. 
Benjamin Patch, Jr., and Martha Low, both of Ipswich. 
John Andrews, 3d, and Susannah Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
David Lull and Miriam Emerson, both of Ipswich. 
Dr. Nathan Jaques and Anna Patch, both of Ipswich. 
Josliua Burnham and Lucy Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
William Linneken of Gushing, and Mehitable Foster of Ipswich. 
Levi Andrews and Hannah Lufkin, both of Ipswich. 
Robert Burnham and Eunice Emmerton, both of Ipswich. 
Samuel Smith and Hannah Choate, both of Ipswich. 
Samuel Low and Elizabeth Giddings, both of Ipswich. 
Titus Nedson and E.-ther Story, both of Ipswich. 
Thomas Holmes and Elizabeth Story, both of Ipswich. 
John Osmont Craft of Manchester, and Susanna Low of Ipswich. 
Grover Burnham and Martha Story, both of IpsAvich. 
.lames McKinley, and Joanna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 
Isaac Story, Jr., and Susanna Burnhani, both of Ipswich. 
Samuel Giddings and Martha Goodfiue, both of Ipswich. 
WintLirop Burnham and Mary Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 
Nathaniel Cogswell and Eunice Low, both of Ipswich. 



1790, 


, Jan. 7. 




May 27. 




Nov. 22. 


1791, 


Feb. 12. 




Mar. 3. 




Mar. 26. 




Apr. 2L 




Apr. 21. 




July 28. 




Aug. 25. 




Sept. 8. 




Sept. 14. 




Oct. 6. 




Dec. 25. 


1792, 


, Jan. 8. 




Mar. 11. 




Mar. 17. 




Mar. 20. 




Apr. 19. 




June 26. 




Sept. 20. 




Sept. 22. 




Nov. 27. 




Dec. 7. 




Dec. 13. 


1793 


, Jan. 3. 




Jan. 10. 




Feb. 21. 




May 1. 




July 8. 




July 18. 




Oct. 20. 




Nov. 7. 




Nov. 28. 




Nov. 30. 




Dec. 12. 


1794 


, Feb. 20. 



APPENDIX. 455 

1794, Mar. 19. Thomas Burnham (now the ilh) and Ruth Cavies, both of Ipswich. 
Apr. 10. Nathan Choate and Mary Perkins, both of Ipswich. 

May 13. Adonirara Haskell of Gloucester, and Ruth Perkins of Ipswich. 

Sept. 7. Solomon Choate, Jr., and Lucy Choate both of Ipswich. 

Oct. 2. Jonathan Burnham and Sukey Burnham both of Ipswich. 

Oct. 2. William Spiller.and Anna Poland, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 21. Jeremiah Choate of Londonderry, N. H., and Mary Story of Ipswich. 

Nov. 30. Zebulon Foster and Polly Story, both of Ipswich. 

1795, Jan. 1. Abraham Channel and Elizabeth Cleaveland, both of Ipswich. 
Feb. 19.' Michael Story and Betsey Goodhue, b(^th of Ipswich. 

Mar. 29. Capt. "William Allen and Sally Edwards, both of Manchester, • 

Sept. 10. Benjamin Jones and Sarah Hasbam, both of Manchester. 

Nov. 14. Ezra Burnham and Anna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Dec. 31. Benjamin Procter and Susanna Low, both of Ipswich. 

1796, Jan. 4. David Burnham, 3d, and Rachel Choate, both of Ipswich. 
Apr. 28. Joshua Burnham, and Anna Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
May 21. Nehemiah Dodge and Sarah Low, both of Ipswich. 

Oct. 20. Henry Clemant of Weare, N. H., and Mrs. Mary Treadwell of Ipswich. 

Oct. 27. Eleazar Andrews and Molly Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 10. Weslley Burnham, 3d, and Hannah Story, both of Ipswich. 
V 1797, Jan. 19. » Henry Witham of Gloucester, and Lois Story of Ipswich. 

Mar. 23. Caleb Andrews and Molly Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Mar. 28. David Andrews, Jr., and Susanna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Apr. 23. Abraham Hobbs, 3d, of Topsfield, and Polly Story, of Ipswich. 

June 27. "William Lakeman, 3d, and Susanna Brown, both of Ipswich. 

July 30. Moses Andrews and Sarah Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 2. Mark Andrews and Polly Ross, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 7. Robert Rust and Miriam Lufkin, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 8. Kathaniel Rust, Jr., and Kate Henderson, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 21. James Brown of Manchester, and Sarah Story of Ipswich. 

Nov. 24. James Butler and Sarah Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Dec. 19. Enoch Haskell and Mrs. Mary Low, both of Ipswich. 

Dec. 26. Israel Dunnels and Mary Story, both of Ipswich. 

1798, Feb. 1. William Norton and Susanna Perkins, both of Ipswich. 

Mar. 29. Nathan Burnham, Jr., and Susanna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Aug. 10. William Burnham, 4th, and Eunice Story, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 24. Abraham Jones and Patty Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 27. John Smith, 3d, and Betsey Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Dec. 20. Nathaniel Dodge of Percy, N. H., resident in Ipswich, and Sarah Po- 
land, of Beverly. 

Dec. 31. William Bowers aijd Eunice Low, both of Ipswich. 

1799, Feb. 7. Elias Andrews and Martha Lufkin, both of Ipswich. 

April 6. Moses Burnham, Jr., and Eunice Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Apr. 22. Rev. Mr. Cleaveland died. 

MARRIED BY REV. JOSIAH WEBSTER. 

1799, Nov. 19. » Jesse Story and Eunice Burnham, both of Ipswich. 
Dec. 29. John Mears and Susannah Story, both of Ipswich. 

1800, May '4. John Dodge, and Susannah Marshall, both of I{)svvich. 
June 10. Nicholas Babcock and Betsey May, both of Manchester. 
June 28. Jabez Ross and Hannah Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Aug. 10. John Carnel and Polly Tuck, both of Manchester. 



456 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 

Joseph Story and Mary Foster, both of Ipswich . 

John Osment and Anna Morgan, both of Manchester. 

John Emerson and Mrs. Abigail Allen, both of Ipswich. 

Dr. Parker Russ and Elizabeth Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 

William Low, Jr., and Mary Giddings, both of Ipswich. 

John Perkins and Lydia Choate, both of Ipswich. 

Jacob Burnham, Jr., and Sally Hidden, both of Ipswich. 

Solomon Cole of Hamilton, and Ruth Poland of Ipswich. 

Daniel Andrews and Betsey Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Israel Audreys and Anna Buruham, both of Ipswich. 

William PoUard and Nancy Hall, (negroes), both of Ipswich. 

Jonathan Andrews and Joanna Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Asa Burnham and Polly Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Abel Low and Polly Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 

John P. Choate, and Lucretia Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 
, David Story and Sally Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Epes Burnham and Abigail Craft, both of Ipswich. 

Jacob Andrews and Eunice Choate, both of Ipswich. 

Sargent Burnham and Hannah Craft, both of Ipswich. 
.Jonathan Story, 3d, and Polly Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

James Crawley and Abigail Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Capt. William Andrews, Jr., and Betsey Goodhue, both of Ipswich. 

Moses Haskell of North Yarmouth, and Elizabeth Haskell of Ipswich. 

Luke Burnham and Eunice Foster, both of Ipswich. 

John Wells and Bethiah Day, both of Ipswieh. 

John Perkins, Jr., and Rachel Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Zebulon Burnham and Judith Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Manasseh Dodge of Hamilton, and Jemima Low, of Ipswich. 

Oliver Poland and Susannah Woodbury, both of Hamilton (in the ab- 
sence of Rev. Dr. Cutler in Congress). 

Seth Burnham and Rachel Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Jacob Procter of Gloucester, and Lois Lufkin of Ipswich. 

Timothy Marshall, Jr., of Beverly, and Mary Poland of Hamilton (in 
the absence of Dr. Cutler in Congress). 

John B. Cummings of Topsfield, and Martha Knowlton of Hamilton. 

John T. Tuttle and Nabby Butler, both of Ipswich. 

Ebenezer Andrews and Susanna Marshall, both of Ipswich. 
July 14. * Phinehas Story and Rosanna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 
Aug. 26. . Jonathan Story, 4th, and Mrs. Susanna Craft, both of Ipswich. 
Oct. 23. Abel Currier of Chester, N. H., and Sally Quinby of Ipswich. 

Amos Lee of Manchester, and Margaret Burnham, of Ipswich. 

Parker Burnham and Martha Lufkin, both of Ipswich. 

Abner Burnham and Anna Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Daniel Norton and Hannah Story, both of Ipswich. 

Jacob Andrews, 4th, and Mary Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

William Cogswell of Salem, and Lucy Choate of Ipswich. 

Henry Burnham and Sally Poland, both of Ipswich. 

Henry Russ and Patty Mears, both of Ipswich. 

Thomas Giddings and Betsey Story, both of Ipswich. 

William Burnham and Sally Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Jonathan Eveleth and Mary Smith, both of Ipswich. 

Ebenezer Burnham, Jr , and Lucy Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Matthew Hammont and Joanna Lakeman, both of Ipswich. 



1800, Nov. 


22., 


Nov. 


27. 


Nov. 


27. 


Dec. 


4. 


Nov. 


24. 


1801, Feb. 


19. 


Mar. 


24. 


Apr. 


19. 


May 


21. 


Sept. 


17. 


Oct. 


29. 


Dec. 


3. 


Dec. 


24. 


1802, Jan. 


14. 


Mar. 


18. 


Apr. 


1. 


Apr. 


8. 


June 


6. 


July 


1. 


July 


8. 


July 


29. 


Sept. 


4. 


Oct. 


12. 


Nov. 


29. 


Dec. 


19. 


1803, Jan. 




July 


21. 


Oct. 


27. 


Dec. 


1. 


Dec. 


22. 


Dec. 


29. 


1804, Jan. 


5. 


Jan. 


26. 


Mar. 


7. 


Apr. 


7. 



Oct. 


25. 


Dec. 


3. 


Dec. 


4. 


1805, Jan. 


8. 


Jan. 


10. 


Jan. 


17. 


May 


2. 


July 


23 


Aug. 


10. 


Oct. 


31. 


Nov. 


14. 


Nov. 


21. 


Dec. 


8. 



APPENDIX. 45 



/ 



1806, Jaa. 12. ■William Mears and Lucy Butler, both of Ipswich. 

Mar. 2G. Stephen B. Hovey and Margaret Stacy, both of Ipswich. 

Apr. 8. Benjamin Andrews, Jr., and Martha Craft, both of Ipswich. 

Apr. 29. Benjamin Todd, Jr.. of Rowley, and Abigail Story of Ipswich. 

May 5. Joseph Smith and Hannah Lord, both of Ipswich. 

June 8. Abraham Gloss of Beverly, and Judith Lee (negroes), both of Ipswich. 

The Rev. Mr. Webster was dismissed, July 23, 1806, and his successor. Rev. Thomas 
Holt, was installed at Chebacco, January 25, 1809. Mr. Holt's record commences as 
follows, viz: 

MARRIAGES SOLEMNIZED BY REV. THOMAS HOLT. 

Parker Burnham and Mary Hardy, both of Ipswich. 

Richard Tucker and Ruth Goodhue, both of Ipswich. 

Moses Kinsman and Susanna Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 

John McKenzie and Rebecca Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Enoch Low and Anna Eveleth, both of Ipswich. 

Michael Story and Lydia Story, both of Ipswich. 

Elijah Gove and Ednah Poland, both of Ipswich. 

Daniel Doe and Rachel Pulsifer, both of Ipswich. 

Francis Marshall and Anna Holmes, both of Ipswich. 

Ebenezer Mayo, Jr., of Hallowell, and Fanny Burnham of Ipswich. 

John Smith of Manchester, and Abigail Giddings of Ipswich. 

Noah Burnham and Hannah Marshall, both of Ipswich. 

Winthrop Andrews of Ipswich, and Rhoda Grover of Boothbay. 

John Lang, Jr., of Portsmouth, N. H.. and Judith Butler of Ipswich. 

Samuel Burnham and Lucy Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Oliver Lakeman and Mary Foster, both of Ipswich. 

William Mears and Elizabeth Butler, both of Ipswich. 

Pelatiah Lewis and Peggy Lemons (negroes), both of Ipswich. 

Abel Burnham and Esther Butler, both of Ipswich. 

Jonathan Andrews, Jr., and Hannah Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Nathaniel Gorton, Jr., and Martha Andrews, both of Ipswich. 

Rev. Mr. Holt was dismissed from Chebacco, April 20, 1813. His successor. Rev. 
Robert Crowell, was ordained, August 10, 1814, and his record of marriages proceeds 
as follows, viz : 

MARRIAGES BY REV. R. CROWELL. 

1814, Dec. 2'). Ira Burnham and Polly Marshall, both of Ipswich. 

1815, Feb. 26. John Burnham and Abigail Herrick. 

Sept. 17. Peter Colado of Mauchester, and Ruth Story of Ipswich. 

Oct. 10. Charles Choate and Polly Low, both of Ipswich. 

Oct. 13. William Marshall and Lucy Butler, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 13. Samuel Burnham and Amelia Choate, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 22. • Perkins Story and Rachel Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 28. David Perkins and Lydia Kimball, both of Wenham (there being no 

settled minister in that town). 
Nov. 30. Jacob Butler and Lucy Giddings, both of Ipswich. 
Nov. 30. Francis Burnham and Mina Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
Nov. 30. William Masury and Hannah Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
Dec. 21. Abner Andrews of Gloucester, and Tabitha Burnham of Ipswich. 

1816, Feb. 27. Adam Boyd and Ruth Story, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 3. Cornelius Batchelder of Beverly, and Sally Low of Ipswich. 
Nov. 27. Samuel Burnham, Jr., and Sally Burnham both of Ipswich. 
Dec. 21. Zebulon Andrews and Nancy Low, both of Ipswich. 
58 



1809, 


, Sept. 14. 




Dec. 7. 




Dec. 21. 


1810, 


, Feb. 15. 




Feb. 28. 




Mar. 7. 




Apr. 11. 




July 4. 




Nov. 12. 




Dec. 3. 


1811, 


Jan. 1. 




Apr. 10. 




Nov. 17. 




Dec. 27. 


1812, 


Aug. 6. 




Sept. 20. 




Oct. U. 




Oct. 15. 




Oct. 25. 




Nov. 12. 


1813, 


. Apr. 18. 



468 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 

1817, Mar. 20. Williarn Holmes and Mrs. Mary Burnhara, both of Ipswich. 
May 28. Thomas Lang of Deerfield, N. H., and Sarah Butler of Ipswich. 
July 9. Benjamin Burnham and Lucy Hardy, both of Ipswich. 

Sept. 2. Thomas Low and Lucy Story, both of Ipswich. 

Sept. 28. Dudley Choate and Sally Channel, both of Ipswich. 

Oct. 7. John Goodhue and Peggy Burnham, both of Ipswich 

Nov. 12. Richard Burnham and Thankful Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

Nov. 30. Dudley Andrews and Sally Low, both of Ipswich. 

Dec. 26. Michael Whitehouse and Polly Burnham, both of Ipswich. 

1818, May 14. James Hoaig of Pittstield, N. H., and Lucy Burnham of Ipswich. 
May 21. Thomas Masury of Wenham, and Lucy Andrews of Ipswich. 
Dec. 13. Mark Andrews of St. George, and Mary Andrews of Ipswich. 
Dec. 17. Capt. Winthrop Low and Mary Cogswell, both of Ipswich. 

1819, Feb. 18. Samuel Morse and Anna Andrews, both of Ipswich. 
Mar. 17. Daniel Mears and Hepzibah Butler, both of Ipswich. 
Mar. 31. Jacob Burnham and Joanna Lull, both of Essex. 

May 3. William S. Foster and Mariah Andrews, both of Essex. 

Sept. 2. William Babcock and Mrs. Lydia Murray, both of Manchester. 

Sept. 5. Daniel Bayier and Mahala Lee, both of Manchester, (there being no 

minister there). 
Sept. 12. , Joshua Low and Mary Burnham, both of Essex. 

Oct. 10. Samuel Cheever and Mrs. Nancy Cheever, both of Manchester (no 

settled minister there). 

Oct. 31. Zeno Burnham and Hepzibah Cummings, both of Essex. 

Nov. 25. Benjamin Stickney of Beverly, and Eunice Lee of Manchester. 

Nov. 28. John Crumby and Hannah Hill, both of Manchester. 

Dec. 14. William Choate and Lucretia Burnham, both of Essex. 

1820, Jan. 26. John P. Burnham and Sarah Burnham, both of Essex. 
Jan. 31. Thomas Choate and Dorothy Emerson, both of Essex. 
Mai. 8. John Goodhue of Essex, and" Mary Stanwood of Gloucester. 
Apr. 8. William Lufkin and Nancy Burnham both of Essex. 

May 11. Jasper Lummus of Hamilton, and Sally Choate of Essex. 

May 16. Isaac Day of Ipswich, and Mary Story of Essex. 

July 20. John West, age 75 years, and Lucy Goldsmith, age 40, both of Man- 
chester. 

Oct. 15. Thomas Allen and Lavinia Baker, both of Manchester. 

Nov. 3. Florence McMann of Ipswich,. and Sophia Butler of Essex. 

Nov. 7. Asa Riggs of Gloucester, and Anna Andrews of Essex. 

Nov. 23. Thomas Holmes of Essex, and Sally Ayres of Manchester. 

Dec. 14. Francis Burnham and Mary Procter, both of Essex. 

Dec. 24. Samuel Baker of Ipswich, and Susanna Holmes of Essex. 

Dec. 24. Moses Rust of Gloucester, and Lucy Procter of Essex. 

1821, Feb. 1. James Burgess and Anna RicLards, both of Manchester. 
Jan. 17. Jonathan Cogswell and Sukey Choate, both of Essex. 

Mar. 5. Joseph Tewksbury of Hopkinton, N. H , and Eliza Butler of Essex. 

Mar. 19. Job Burnhura and Lydia Holmes, both of Essex. 

Mar. 25.* Epes Slory and Eunice Burnham, both of Essex. 

Apr. 11. Samuel Caldwell of Marblehead, and Elizabeth Mears of Essex. 

July 22. Joseph Marshall and Sally Burnham, both of Essex. 

May 1.7. Daniel Leach and Deborah Hill, both of Manchester. 

Oct. 7. Joseph Goodhue of Salem, and Mahala Lemmons (colored persons), 

of Essex. 

Nov. 21. Thomas Hardy and Esther Burnham, both of Essex. 



1821, Nov. 


29. 


Dec. 


6. 


Dec. 


8. 


Dec. 


30. 


1822, Feb. 


14. 


Feb. 


21. 


Mar. 


27. 


Mar. 


31. 


June ]0. 


Nov. 


20. 


Feb. 


5. 


1823, Mar. 


20. 


Mar. 


29. 


Apr. 


3. 


Nov. 


20. 


Dec. 


28. 


1824, Jan. 


29. 


Feb. 


9. 


Feb. 


22. 


Mar. 


21. 


Apr. 


5. 


■ Apr. 


10. 


Apr. 


18. 


May- 


15. 


June 


. 1. 


June 


14. 


July 


18. 


Aug. 


22. 


Sept. 


9. 


Oct. 


28. 


Nov. 


22. 


Dec. 


2. 


Dec. 


11. 


Dec. 


5. 


1825, Mar. 


21. 


Mar. 


27. 


Apr. 


20. 


June 


15. 


June 15. 


July 


19. 


July 


21. 


July 


28. 


Nov. 


24. 


Dec. 


14. 


182G, Feb. 


7. 


Feb. 


19. 


Apr. 


16. 


Apr. 


26. 


May 


31. 


Aug. 


20. 


Oct. 


3. 



APPENDIX. 459 

James Haskell of Gloucester, and Sarah Procter of Essex. 
Stephen Piper of Ashley, and Lucretia Andrews of Essex. 
Nimrod Burnham and Susan Burnham, both of Essex. 
Thomas Dade of Gloucester, and Mary Burnham, of Essex. 
Daniel Cogswell of Ipswich, and Sally Cogswell of Essex. 
Levi Andrews and Achsah Andrews, both of Essex. 
Henry Mears and Abigail Butler, both of Essex. 
Joshua Burnham and Hannah Andrews, both of Essex. 
Benjamin Brown of Ipswich, and Atarah Andrews of Essex. 
Samuel Hibbert of Haverhill, and Sally S. Holmes of Essex. 
Abel Story and Thankful Burnham, both of Essex. 
Adoniram Andrews and Mary Andrews, both of Essex. 
Samuel Mears and Lydia W. Burnham, both of Essex. 
Alfred Burnham and Ednah Burnham, both of Essex. 
John Boyd and Lucy Burnham, both of Essex. 
At Hamilton, Mr. Farr of Gloucester, and Miss Patch of Hamilton. 
Thomas Luf kin and Eliza Haskell, both of Essex. 
9. « Elisha Story and Lydia Boyd, both of Essex. 
Seth Story and Mary Story, boih of Essex. 
Jeremiah Poland and Betsey Andrews, both of Essex. 
Moses Rust and Judith Burnham, boih of Essex, 
Joel Boyd and Mary Burnham, both of Essex. 
Warren Foster and Judith Burnham, both of Essex. 
Amos Burnham and Polly Story, both of Essex. 
At Hamilton — Benjamin Woodbury and Thirza Woodbury, both of 

Hamilton, (there being no settled minister there.) 
Enoch Low and Betsey Burnham, both of Essex. 
Thomas Stamford of Ipswich, and Judith Burnham of Essex. 
Ezra Haskell of Boston, and Emily Haskell of Essex. 
Dr. Josiah Lamson and Rebecca Sargent, both of Essex. 
Joseph Allen, Jr., and Orpah Andrews, both of Essex. 
Samuel Burnham and Sally Andrews, both of Essex. 
John Burnham and Sarah C. Perkins, both of Essex. 
Eleazer Andrews and Judith Andrews, both of Essex. 
Jeremiah Andrews and Eliza Allen, both of Essex. 
Jonathan Luf kin, Jr., and Thirza Marshall, both of Essex. 
John Andrews and Lucy Low, both of Essex. 
Thomas Knight of Manchester, and Lucretia Burnham of Essex. 
Charles Roberts and Charlotte Andrews, both of Essex. 
Weeden Cole of Gloucester, and Mrs. Mary Holmes of Essex. 
Humphrey C. Cogswell of Hampstead, N. H., and Sally H. Burnham 

of Essex. 
Isaac Farnham of Salem, and Hannah G. Burnham of Essex. 
Josiah Luf kin, Jr., of Gloucester, and Meliitable Burnham of Essex. 
Uriah G. Spofford and Mary Perkins, both of Essex. 
JoLn F. Bannister of Boston, and Abigail Dexter of Essex. 
Michael Story, Jr., and Susan Burnham, boih of Essex. 
John J. Butler and Mary Andrews, both of Essex. 
liUko Burnham, Jr., and Mary Burnham, both of Essex. 
John T. Taylor of Danvers, and Maria Perkins of Essex. 
Levi Brown of Ipswich, and Susan Mears of Essex. 
Daniel Gaffney of Gloucester, and Abigail Story of Essex. 
Jolia S. Burnham and Clarissa Burnham, both of Essex. 



460 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

1826, Oct. 30. Charles Dexter and Judith Allen, both of Essex. 

Nov. 19. Zaccheus Burnham and Susanna Burnhara, both of Essex. 

Nov. 19. David S. Andrews and Mary Poland, both of Essex. 

Nov 23. Isaac Annabal of HamiltOD, and Sally Burnham of Essex. 

Nov. 26. Elias Savage and Lucretia Choate, both of Essex. 

Nov. 30. Abraham Jones and Mary Quimby, both of Essex. 

Dec. 4. Asa Burnham, Jr., and Mary S. Andrews, both of Essex. 

Dec. 7. Joseph Kilham and Mary Allen, both of Manchester. 

Dec. 26. Warren Low of Essex, and Babcock of Manchester. 

1827, Jan. 8. Timothy Andrews and Susan P. Low, both of Essex. 
Mar. 3. William Thomson and Hannah Low, both of Essex. 

Mar. 14. Daniel "Whipple of Hamilton, and Hannah Norton of Essex. 

Apr. 29. George Burnham and Ann G. Perkins, both of Essex. 

May 20. Daniel Norton and Lydia Choate, both of Essex. 

July 15. John Herrick of Gloucester, and Mary Andrews of Essex. 

Sept. 30. Abraham Perkins and Abigail Story, both of Essex. 

Oct. 13. Moses B. Perkins and Lydia Procter, both of Essex. 

Dec. 19. Ebenezer Cogswell of Ipswich, and Elizabeth Burnham of Essex. 

Dec. 22. Samuel Giddings and Eunice Burnham, both of Essex. 

RECORD OF DEATHS IN CHEBACCO, 

AS RECORDED BY REV. JOHN CLEATELAND DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS OF 

HIS LIFE. 

1790, Feb. 10. Jonathan Marshall, of con.sumption, almost 75 years. 

Peb. 19. Dennison Cogswell, son of Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Jr., of vital weak- 
ness, in nth month of his age. 
Feb. 20. Widaw Martha Burnham, relict of late Capt. Jonathan Burnham of 

cancer, in her 90th year. 
May 28. Elder Eleazer Craft, of influenza, just entered his 79th year. 
June 1 3. Ephraim, son of Jacob Burnham, of spasmodic fever, brought on by 
labor beyond his strength and getting a sudden cold, in his 14th year. 
June 14. Still-born child of Benjamin Cogswell. 
, June 20. Male infant of Capt. Jonathan Story, of sore mouth, aged 15 days. 
July 15. Philemon Smith, dropsy and other disorders, in his 23d year. 
July 17. Nathaniel Burnham, son of Job Burnham, of convulsions and worms, 

near two years old. 
Aug. 19. Wife of Thomas Giddings, of consumptive disorders, between 70 and 
80 years of age. 
Elizabeth Choate, of consumption, in her 20th year. 
Child of Grover Burnham, 3 days old. 

Child of Oliver Emmerton, of canker, about two weeks old. 
Infant child of Jonathan Perkins, of canker, near three weeks old. 
1791, Feb. 6. Samuel Low, of bilious disorders, in his 17th year. 
A female infant of William Burnham, 3d. 

Capt. Joshua Burnham, of unknown disease, lately arrived from West 
Indies, in his 55th year. 
June 25. Polly, daughter of Thomas Burnham 4th, a choleric fever, aged 1 

year 9 months. 
June 27. Infant of Jesse Burnham. 

July 7. John Choate, Esq., of consumption attended with excruciating pains 
and a costive habit arising from scirrhuses in his liver, being 
opened after his death, in his 54th year. 



Oct. 


16. 


Oct. 


20. 


Dec. 


1. 


Dec. 


5. 


Feb. 


6. 


Apr. 


13. 


June 


9. 



t 1701 


, July 


13. 




Sept 


21. 




Aug. 


28. 




Nov. 


5. 




Nov. 


17. 




Dec. 


9. 


1792; 


, Feb. 


9. 




May 


9. 




June 


13. 




July 


10. 




July 


18. 




July 


20. 




Aug. 


1. 




Aug. 


11. 




Aug. 


23. 



APPENDIX. 461 

Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Story, of consumptive decay, in her 74th 

year. 
Patty, daughter of Timothy Ross, of diarrhoea, worms and fever, 

aged 22 months. 
Polly, daughter of Elisha Story, of an unknown disorder. 
Adoniram, son of James Andrews, of worms and it was thought 

mortification, in his 3d year. 
A son of Stephen Boardman, of fits, 9 days old. 
Aaron Low, of a nervous fever after a pleurisy, in his 64th year. 
Widow Elizabeth Holmes, of fever and old age, aged about 81. 
Wife of Enoch Haskell, of an unknown disease of the bowels and 

mortification, aged 59 years. 
Amariali Andrews, of consumption, in his 34th year. 
Billy, son of Titus Nedson, of fits, in his 3d year. 
Benjamin Procter, by falling from his horse into the creek was 

drowned, about 79 years of age. 
Mary, wife of Grover Burnham, of mortification, aged about 22 years. 
William Cogswell, Jr., and David Luf kin, by a hurricane at St. Martins. 
An infant twin child of Abraham Channel two days after its birth. 
Widow Mehitabal, relict of Solomon Burnham, suddenly, in her 84th 
year. 
Aug. 28. Widow Jane Burnham, chiefly of the infirmities of old age, in her 
89th year. 
Mary Cogswell, of fever and canker, aged 51 years. 
Male child of John Emmerton, at its birth. 
Female child of David Lull, soon after its birth. 
1793, Jan. 24. Elias, son of Isaac Andrews, of mortification, uncommon, aged 4 
months, 25 days. 
Mar. 30. Francis Choate, last son of the late John Choate, Esq , deceased, of 

consumption, in his 17th year. 
Apr. 6. Eunice, wife of Jeremiah Choate, of dropsical consumption. We 

trust she fell asleep in Jesus. 
Apr. 12. Francis Burnham, of fever, in liis 80th year; who appeared to fall 

asleep in Jesus. 
Aug. 14. Seward Dow, of sudden mortification, aged about 9 years. 
Sept. 6. Jacob Goodhue, of palsy, aged about 70 years. 
Sept. 17. V Billy Story, son of Jonathan Story, Jr., of malignant quinsy, about 

1 year, 8 months. 
Sept. 26. Margaret, relict of Francis Burnham, deceased, of many disorders, 
somewhat uncommon, terminating in consumption, in her 78th year. 
Oct. 24. Polly, daughter of John Procter, Jr., of quinsy, aged 2 years and near 
7 months; a remarkably large child, weighing between 70 and 80 
wez^/ii above 2 months before her death. 
Widow Mary Marshall, of cancer, just entered her 70th year. 
Widow Abigail Jones, of sudden dropsy, aged 69 to 70 years. 
Isaac Perkins, son of Abraham Perkins, by bleeding occasioned by 

an ulcer in the throat, in his 16th year. 
A female infant of John Cogswell, at its birth. 
Jacob Low, of small pox, in the West Indies, in his 24th year. 
An infant of William Burnham, 3d, at its birth. 
June 21. Abigail, wife of Abraham Channel, of consumption, aged 39 years. 

She gave good evidence of her good estate. 
June 29. An infant of Solomon Andrews, at its birth. 



Oct. 


23. 


Dec. 


1. 


Dec. 


8. 


Jan. 


24. 



Dec. 


13. 


:, Feb. 


27. 


Mar. 


3. 


Mar. 


5. 


Jan. 


24. 


Apr. 


3. 



462 HISTOEY OF ESSEX. 

1794, July 4. Ruth, wife of John Emmerton, of consumplion, in her 25th year. 

Died hopefully. 
Aug. 5. Hannah Foster, of a sudden convulsion of her nerves, after having 

been in a state for many months, in her 87th year. A 

person of real piety and truth for many years. 
Sept. 9. Ebenezer Mansfield, accidental, aged 61 years. 
Sept. 22. Nabby, daughter of Amos Burnham, of consumption, aged 12 years, 

(and perhaps) 1 month. 
Sept. 23. Polly, daughter of Widow Mary Cogswell, of consumption, aged 15 

years, (and perhaps) 1 month. 
Oct. 2. Male infant of Lieut. Jeremy Choate, of fits occasioned by dysenteric 

affection, in 4th day of its ago. 
Oct. IG. Elizabeth, relict of David Barnham, of fever and old age, in her 92d 

year. 
Oct. 23. Sarah, wife of James Eveleth, of fever, aged 74 years. 
Oct. 31. Lucy, daughter of Robert and Mary Choate, of malignant quinsy, in 

her 4lh year. 
Dec. 16. Francis Choate, son of Stephen C, fever and convulsive fits, 7 

months old. 
Dec. 19. Elizabeth Butler, of fever, aged 57 years. 
Dec. 21. "We have news that Stephen Low, Jr., died at sea of fever, aged 

perhaps 35 years. 
Dec. 25. Thomas, son of George Pierce, in West Indies of yellow fever, aged 

about 18 years. 
Sometime in the summer of this year, (1794,) it is supposed Mr, 

Caleb Burnham and all the crew perished at sea. 

1795, Jan. 9. Samuel Nedson, a colored boy, of a violent seizure in his nerves and 

of fever ; son of Titus N., in his 8th year. 
Jan. 27. A child of Mr. Riggs, 2 months old. 
Mar. 13. Four persous drowned iu Chebacco River — a terrible snow-storm. 

• Parker Story, in his 35th year, married. 
Thomas Holmes, aged 29 years, married. 

* Aaron Story, in his 28th year. 

Moses Pearse, son of George Pearse, about 16. - 
James Burnham, of an uncommon disorder, at sea. 
Apr. 23. Lucy, wife of Joshua Burnham, of fever, aged 29 years and a few 

months. 
May 11. Mehitable, relict of James Burnham. of Manchester, [leaf torn.] 
N. B. Parker Story taken up Lord's day, March "j A Jury 
15, and buried March 16. [of 

Moses Pear.se, taken up and buried May 7. j Inquest 
Aaron Story taken up and buried May 15. J sat upon each. 
Mar. Mr. "William Butler, in Prance, of small pox, aged near 21 years. 

June 4. Female infant of Joshua Burnham, aged 2 months. 
July 8. f, Michael Story, who fell on the edge of a broad axe, which was in his 
hand, from the ridge-pole of a barn-frame just raised, which cut the 
whole width of it, through his shoulder-blade and ribs into his 
vitals about 6 o'clock P. M., and he expired about 10 o'clock ihe 
same evening, in the 26th year of his age, and left a young wile 
with an infant and aged father, all to mourn. Two more on the 
same ridge-pole when it broke, fell with him, and were disastered 
but like to recover, — William Burnham, a minor, and Titus, a black 
belonging to Rev. Mr. Cleaveland. 



ArPENDix. 463 

1795, July 29. Two female infants of Robert and Eunice Burnhara. 

Aug. 1. Moses Burnliam, by the extreme hot weather, aged 51 years. 

Aug. 25. Ensign Humphrey Choate, of an uncommon bleeding from his blad- 
der for several days, aged almost 75 years. 

Dec. 2. Thomas Emerson, at sea, son of the late Nathaniel Emerson, a young 
man. 

Dec. 29. Thomas, son of Joseph Perkins, Jr., of scarlatina squinosa, in his 
13tli year. 

Dec. 30. Asa Perkins, son of Joseph Perkins, Jr., of the same distemper, 
aged 4 years. 

1796, Jan. 8. Eunice, daughter of Robert Burnham, of throat distemper and scar- 

let fever, aged 2 years. 
Jan. 17. John Holmes, son of William H., of throat distemper, aged 15 months. 
Jan. 22. Mrs. Sarah Tripwell, a few days after having had thirty quarts of 

dropsy water taken from her by tapping, in her 76th year. 
Jan. 23. » Asa, son of Ebenezer Story, of throat distemper, in his 16th year. 
Jan. 25. Lucy, daughter of Nathaniel Burnham, of throat distemper, aged 

10 years. 
Jan. 25. Aaron, son of Aaron Foster, at evening, of same distemper, in his 

4th year. 
Miss Abigail Goodhue, at Ipswich town, aged near 80 years. 
Samuel, son of Mr. Hardy, of throat distemper, near 6 years old. 
Hannah Procter, wife of Mr. John P., [record torn off] attended 

with a most distressing asthma. 
4. » Daughter of Isaac Story, Jr., [record torn off] in her 4th month. 
The widow Mary Cogswell, who had [remainder torn off]. 
Widow Anna Jones, of the ja [torn off.] 
Sarah, wife of Mr. Samuel [rest torn ofif]. 
Mary Jones, at the poor-house, aged 72. 
Apr. 13. Jonathan Smith, at the poor-house, aged 91 or 92. 
May 10. ^ Lieut. Jacob Story' of various disorders of long standing, aged 82. 
May 13. Infant daughter of Solomon Burnham, 9 days old. 
May 14. -Stephen Story, of various disorders of long standing, aged near 80. 
May 16. Jesse, son of Jesse Burnham, drowned at E. Haskell's bridge, in his 

7 th year. 
May 21. Solomon, son of Solomon Burnham, of throat distemper, aged about 

4 years. 
May 25. Hannah, wife of David Andrews, being reduced by fever, and vari- 
ous disorders, aged 25. 
May 26. Untimely infant of the last mentioned Mrs. Andrews. 
May 28. Widow Sarah Bennet, of a complication of disorders, aged about 

62 years. 
Aug. 19. Bennet, son of Enoch Burnham, drowned in Cliebacco River, against 

Col. Cogswell's landing, in his 13th year. 
Aug. 26. Joseph Page of Salisbury, a ship carpenter, working for Jacob Story, 

died at his house of putrid fever and mortification in bowels, in 

his 24tli year. 
Sept. 25. Nathan, twin son of Nathan Burnham, of bilious fever, 8 years old. 
Oct. 6. Infant child of Daniel Burnham, of cough, suddenly, 8 weeks old. 
Oct. 8. Stephen, a child of widow Low, of fever, 3 years old. 
Oct. 8. Child of Jos];iua Burnham, at its birth. 
Nov. 25. Child of Moses Marshall, 10 months. 
Dec. 15-16. Daughter ofJesse Burnham, of cough and other complaints, 17 montiis. 



Jan. 


30. 


Feb. 


1. 


Feb. 


3. 


Feb. 


4. 


Mar. 


12. 


Mar. 


27. 


Apr. 


3. 


Mar. 


7. 



464 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

1796, Dec. 27. "Widow Mary, relict of William Allen, suddenly, supposed to be 80 

years old. 

1797, Jan. 1. . Infant of Stephen Story, at its birth. 

Jan. 24. Nehemiah Choate, of lung fever, in his 67th year. 

* 22. Patience, daughter of James Andrews, of cough and fever, aged 1 
year and 9 months, 
f Twins of Oliver Norton, one on the day of its birth, the other its 3d day. 
,< :j:Story, suddenly by an unknown disorder, just entered his 74th 3'ear. 
§Andrews, son of James Andrews, Jr., of putrid fever ending in 
mortification, in the 11th year of his age. 
The names of the remaining five upon this page of Mr. Cleaveland's records are lost 
by some accident in tearing, the corner of the leaf being lost. The remainder of the 
record is perfect for the year, and throughout, and is as follows, viz. : 

June 28. "Westley Burnham, of a fever with mortification, in his 78th year. 
July 22. Miss Jemima Foster, of dropsy and other disorders, in her 77 year; 
a member of the church — of unspotted character for piety and 
religion. 
July 28. Michael, son of Ebenezer Burnham, of fever and other disorders, in 

his 12th year. 
Sept. 1. Sarah, widow of late Joseph Procter, of malignant fever, [record of 

age torn off.] 
Sept. 28. Martha, relict of Elder Eleazer Craft, of fever, in her 83d year. 
Dec. The aged widow Pearse, of many and great infirmities. 

1798, Jan. 7. Infant son of Joshua Burnham, soon after its birth. 

Feb. 8. Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer Choate, of various disorders, in her 7lst 

year. 
Feb. 10. >■ Ruhamah, wife of Jesse Story, of various disorders for many months, 

aged 62 years. 
Mar. 29. Son of Capt. Rufus Low, aged 4 days. 
July 4. Abigail, daughter of late John Choate, Esq. ; she died at Ipswich town 

in her 24th year. She gave evidence of falling asleep in Jesus. 
July 14. At Gloucester, Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Burnharn, of a combina- 
tion of diseases — a good woman — in her 84 th year. 
Aug. 25. An infant of James Andrews, Jr., immediately after birth. 
Sept. 2. Infant child of black Peter and Kate, in its 17lh month. 
Sept. 11. John, only son of Capt. John Procter, by sucking in the steam of hot 

coifee, in its 13th month. 
Oct. 19. Anna, wife of John Cogswell, of a short consumption, aged 36 years. 

She appeared to fall asleep in Jesus. 
Oct. 24. A female child of Aaron Haskell, 16 days old. 
Nov. 2. Israel, son of John Procter, of quinsy, aged 11 months. 
Dec. 12. Moses Luf kin, of dropsy, aged 58. 
Dec. 1 0. Richard Pearse, a, likely young man, mate of the vessel, was washed 

overboard, with one of the hands, and both were drowned in a storm. 

1799, Feb. 3. f Zechariah Story, Jr., of Windsor, Vt., of a violent fever, at Mr. David 

Low's, in his 2 1st year. 
Feb. 2. Francis Rust, very suddenly, as he was at table, aged 48. 

KECORDEDBY ANOTHER HAND. 

Apr. 22. Rev. John Cleaveland, pastor of the Second Church in Ipswich, after 
a long, faithful and successful ministry. He died on the same day 
of the mouth on which he was born, being 77 years old. 

* Month gone. t Date gone. J Date and name torn off. g L'ate and Chrisiian name gone. 



1799, May 


18. 


May 


31. 


April 


or 


May. 


July 


23. 


Aug. 


20. 


Sept. 




Nov. 


25. 



APPENDIX. 4G5 

Deacon Thomas, (Burnham is believed to have been intended though 

omitted), aged 72 years. 
Lieut. Jeremiah Choate, aged near 44 years. 
In a foreign part, Isaac Andrews, 45 or 46, — and Daniel Andrews, 

aged 19. years. 
"Widow Susannah Elwell, of consumption, aged 47. 
Joseph Marshall, aged 76. 
[A death is recorded, not legible.] 
Widow Susanna Marshall, an aged woman. 

BECORD OF DEATHS IN THE SECOND PARISH OP IPSWICH. 

BY REV. JOSIAH WEBSTER. 

1800, April. A child of Aaron Giddings, aged almost 4 years. 

July 11. John Herrick, drowned, from Gloucester; lived with D. Choate. 

Aug. 8. Francis Burnham, aged about 50 years. 

Aug. 29. A child of Abraham Jones. 

Sept. Wife of John Emerson. 

Sept. 27. Ned Choate, negro, church member, aged about 90; from D. Choate's 

family. 
Oct. 4. Ehzabeth Perkins, wife of Joseph Perkins, aged 77 ; church member. 
Dec. 19. Capt. Stephen Low, aged about 65. 
Dec. 30. Widow Catherine Low, aged 86. 
A child of Wihiam Burnham. 

1801, Feb. Widow Eunice Burnham. 

April. -r Child of Joseph Story was still-born. 

Apr. 22. Capt. Moses Burnham, about 40. 

April or May. At sea, Moses Burnham, aged about 21. 

Aug. 27. Mary Perkins, aged about 20. 

Sept. 25. A child of Moses Burnham, aged 13 months. 

Nov. 15. Elizabeth, wife of David Burnham, about 86; a professor of religion, i 

Nov. 26. An infant of Caleb and Molly Andrews. 

Dec. 26. Sarah Choate, 28 or 29 ; a professor of religion. 

1802, Mar. 26. Jonathan Burnham, 86. 
Apr. 25-6. John Cavis, about 80. 
May. Sarah Burnham. 

May 13. An infant of Jonathan and Joanna Andrews. 
y^ July 4. Nebemiah Story, a church member ; aged 81-2. 

July 6-7. A child of Abner and Poland, about 7 months. 

July 20. Thomas Giddings, aged 94. 

Aug. 5. Wife of Joseph Perkins, Jr., aged 50. 

Sept. 22. Wife of Jacob Cogswell. 

Oct. Enoch Burnham. 

Oct. , Polly, daughter of Stephen Story, 14 years, of lock-jaw. 

Dec. 15. James Plvelcth, 87 years. 

Dec. 27. David Burnham, 89 years. 

George Norton, Jr, abroad, aged 21-2. 

1803, Jan. 27. -Mr. George Norton. 

Aaron Low, at sea, aged 21. 
Apr. 17. A child of Mr. John Dexter, 2 years. 
June 5. Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Parker Russ, aged 29. 
Sept. 4. An infant of John Perkins, Jr. 
Oct. 5-7. A child of Ebonezer Haskell. 
59 



466 niSTOEY OF essex. 

1803, Oct. 21. Betsy Kimball, from Maine, on a visit, suddenly; she was as well as 
usual in the morning, and died before nine o'clock at night. 

Lieut. Abraham Perliins, of a cancer, aged 60 ; a professor of religion. 
, Eben Story, rose well for aught was known, but before he had put 
on all his clothes, he fell, never spake nor struggled, aged about 
60 years. 

The wife of William Burnham, a Quaker. 

Timothy, a sprightly son of Benjamin Burnham, who died at Salem, 
aged 18. 

Child of Joshua Burnham, still-born. 

News arrived of the death of John Low, at sea, aged 24 years. 

Funeral of Garrett's child, a negro. 

Funeral of Levi Andrews' child, aged 2 years. 

Funeral of Benjamin Cogswell's child, 1 year, 4 months. 

Funeral of Elli Haskell's child, an infant. 

Funeral of Ruth Foster, aged 20. 

Funeral of an infant child of Parker Burnham. 

Funeral of wife of Thomas Giddings, who died of consumption. 

Funeral of Sarah Perkins, daughter of Joseph P., died of consump- 
tion, aged 18. 

Funeral of a child of John Perkins, about one year old. 

Funeral of Parker Burnham's wife. 

A child of Jonathan Luf kin, died. 

Funeral of widow Hannah Burnham, who died of cancer, 59 years. 

A child of John Dodge, 3 years old, of scarlet fever. 

A child of Samuel Quimby, about 6 years. 

Oliver Emerton, died, aged 45. 

Funeral of a child of Ebenezer Andrews, in Gloucester. 

Funeral of widow Smith, aged 74. 

Funeral of Mr. Harlow's child, 2^ years. 

Funeral of Moses Marshall's youngest child, 2^ years. 

Wife of Simeon Burnham, a professor of religion, 76 years. 

Funeral of Nehemiah Dodge's child, still-born. 

Funeral of Joseph Lemons' child, a negro. 

Funeral of Jethro Story's child, a negro. 

Funeral of George Choate's child, aged 19 months. 

Capt. Joseph Perkins died, aged 85 ; a worthy member of the church. 

Funeral of child of Jonathan Story, 4th. 

Funeral of infant child of Mr. Hardy. 

Widow Ross died, aged 86. 

Sukey Burnham died, aged 26, of consumption. 

Polly, wife of Abel Low, died very suddenly, aged 27. 

Jacob Cogswell died, aged 79. 

Dr. Parker Russ died, aged 36. 

A negro child of Charles and Kate Hall died. 
Mr. Joseph Perkins, aged 53. 
Feb. 17. ;A negro mfant of Jethro Story. 

Funeral of a colored child from the country. 

Funeral of Dinah, a colored woman. 

Funeral of Joseph Andrews, aged 77 years. 

Funeral of William Mears' infant child. 

Funeral of Daniel Andrews' child, died suddenly of quinsy. 



Oct. 


24. 


Nov. 


1. , 


Nov. 




Dec. 


17. 


1804, Jan. 


19. 


Jan. 


20. 


Feb. 


11. 


Feb. 


19. 


Mar. 


3. 


Mar. 


16. 


Mar. 


25. 


May 


16. 


May 


22. 


May 


26. 


July 


3. 


July 


24. 


July 


27. 


July 


31. 


Aug. 


27. 


Sept. 


2. 


Sept. 


3. 


Oct. 


11. 


Oct. 


12. 


Oct. 


24. 


Dec. 


26. 


1805, Jan. 


21. 


Jan. 


30. 


Feb. 


7. 


Feb. 


9. 


Feb. 


22. 


Apr. 


4. 


May 


15. 


Sept. 


9. 


Oct. 


6. 


Oct. 


26. 


Nov. 


4. 


Dec. 


1. 


Dec. 


19. 


1806, Jan. 


4. 


Feb. 


1. 


Feb. 


17. 


Mar. 


28. 


Apr. 


11. 


Apr. 


16. 


Apr. 


26. 


May 


10. 



APPENDIX. 467 



DEATHS RECORDED BY REV. THOMAS HOLT. 

1809, Feb. 22. Widow Rachel Andrews, of old age, 78 yrs., 6 mos., 3 wks , 2 days. 
June 10. Adam Boyd, of quick consumption, 44 years. 
July 14. Job, son of Thomas and Betsy Giddings, 2 years, 10 months, 1 week, 

6 days. 

Sept. 21. Infant child of Zebulon and Judith Burnham, of canker, 2 months, 

2 weeks, 1 day. 

Oct. 15. Young child of Benjamin, Jr., and Mary Burnham, 1 year, 2 months, 

3 weeks. 

Nov. 10. Thomas Foster, of consumption, 47 years, 7 months, 1 day. 

Nov. 1 G. Infant child of Zebulon and Polly Foster, whooping-cough and lung 

fever, 3 months, 2 weeks, 6 days. 
Nov 30. Martha, wife of Stephen Boardman, inflammation of lungs, 38 years 

7 months, 1 day. 
Sally Peabody Friend, nervous putrid fever, 1 5 3'ears, 1 month, 3 weeks. 
Widow Martha Andrews old age, 90 year,'?, 1 1 months, 1 week, 4 days. 
Eunice, wife of William Bowers, dropsy, 33 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 

2 days. 
Miss Sally Bennet. lung fever, 54 years, 3 months, 4 weeks. 
Miss Anna Low, old age, 86 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 2 days. 
Sophronia, twin daughter of Moses Marshall, of a-singular cutaneous 

disease,! year, 9 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. 
Widow Mary Haskell, old age, 78 years, 11 months, 4 weeks. 
Widow Mary Smith, consumption, 49 years, 1 month, 1 week, 1 day. 
Widow Ann Goodhue, consumption, 79 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 

6 days. 
Clara Perkins, consumption, 14 years, 6 months, 1 week, 5 days. 
Widow Mary Choate, palsy and consumption, 78 years, 7 months, 

5 days. 
Peter Lewis, colored, quick consumption, 20 years. 
Infant child of James and Sally Perkins, a scald over pit of stomach, 

8 months, 2. weeks, 1 day. 
Elizabeth Burnham, consumption, 24 years, 7 months, 4 weeks. 
Child of Nehemiah and Sarah Dodge, dropsy of the brain, 3 years, 

2 months, 2 days. 
Infant child of John and Rebecca McKenzie, canker, 2 weeks, 2 days. 
Widow Sarah Andrews, dropsy and consumption, 84 years. 
Zaccheus Burnham, consumption, 24 years, 3 weeks, 5 days. 
Ruth, wife of Capt. Aaron Foster, fever and old age, 83 years, 9 

moullis. 1 week, 2 days. 
Apr. 9. Edward, son of widow Susanna Foster, lung complaint, 1 year, 10 

months, 1 day. 
Hannah Burnham, lung fever, 60 years, 3 months, 4 days. 
Infant child of Nathan and Elizabeth Story, 3 months, 2 weeks, 4 days. 
Widow Low. 
Westley Burnham, Jr., inflammation of brain, 36 years, 9 months, 1 

week, 1 day. 
Young child of Benjamin, Jr., and Mary Burnham, of fits, 3 months, 

2 weeks, 4 days. 
Young child of Parker and Martha Burnham, consumption, 6 monllis, 

3 week.s, 5 days. 
Aug. 8. Citisar Conway, colored, consumption, 70 years. 



Dec. 


11. 


Dec. 


23. 


1810, Jan. 


14. 


Feb. 


8. 


Feb. 


11. 


Mar. 


6. 


June 


17. 


July 


7. 


Aug. 


2. 


Sept. 


7. 


Nov. 


1. 


Nov. 


2. 


Nov. 


15. 


Nov. 


17. 


Nov. 


23. 


Dec. 


20. 


1811, Jan. 


4. 


Jan. 


18. 


Mar. 


24. 



Apr. 


17. 


Apr. 


20. 


June 




June 


22. 


July 


G. 


July 


28. 



468 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

Child of John and Hepzibah Butman, of languishment, 10 months, 3 

weeks, 3 days. 
Zebulon Foster, Jr., consumption. 

Child of Zebulon and Judith Burnham, whooping-cough, 1 year. 
Susanna, daughter of widow Susan Foster, 17 years, 2 months, 1 

week, 2 days. 
Bethuel, wife of William Burnham, Jr., 59 years. 
Capt. Aaron Foster, of mortification from diarrhoea, 87 years, 3 weeks, 

4 days. 
Lydia, wife of "William Holmes, lung fever, 50 years, 3 months, 4 weeks. 
Taflf, colored woman, found dead in the house, 50 years. 
Dea. Jonathan Cogswell, 86 years, 8 mouths, 3 weeks, 2 days. 
Infant son of Nathaniel and Judith Perkins, 3 days. 
Mary Cogswell, consumption, 51 years 6 months, 2 weeks, 3 days. 
John, son of Capt. John and Elizabeth Eveleth, 1 year, 2 months, 1 

week, 1 day. 
Samuel Sewall, consumption, 21 years. 
Abigail, wife of Caleb Marshall, consumption, 24 years, 8 months, 3 

weeks, 4 days. 
Nathan, son of Nathan and Susanna Burnham, inflammatiou in the 

knee joint, 2 years 4 months, 4 days. 
Washington, son of William and Eunice Burnham, dropsy of the 

brain, 2 years, 7 months, 2 weeks, 1 day. 
Infant child of Amos and Margarett Lee, 2 months, 4 days. 
Cyrus Burnham, consumption, 19 years, 9 months, 3 weeks. 
Rachael, wife of Seth Burnham, fever and consumption, 36 years, 2 

weeks, 6 days. 
Moses Foster, consumption, 51 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 2 days. 
Infant child of Joseph and Peggy Lemons, dropsy of brain, 11 weeks. 
Eunice, wife of Jacob Andrews, 3d, cancer in breast, 49 years, II 

months, 2 weeks, 6 days. 
1813, Jan. 3. Lucy, wife of Samuel Burnham, consumption, 24 years, 1 month, 3 

weeks, 1 day. 
Jan. 15. Widow Sarah Norton, palsy, terminating in lethargy, 71 years, 2 

months, 3 weeks, 3 days. 
Mar. 1. Infant child of Samuel Burnham, whooping-cough, 3 months, 1 week, 

4 days. 
Apr. 4. Martlia, wife of Henry Euss, nervous disorder, 31 years, 8 months, 

2 weeks, 1 day. 
Apr. 4. Charles Hall, colored, suddenly, 43 years, 10 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. 

Rev. Mr. Holt was dismissed, April 20th, 1813. 

1813, June 30. Mary, widow of Dea. Jonathan Cogswell, 84 years, 3 months, 18 days. 
July 8. William Gorten, 35 years, 5 months. 

Oct. 13. Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Jr., said (erroneously) to have been of lung 
fever, 29 years. 
The last mentioned eight deaths are all that appear upon the records during the 
year 1813. 

DEATHS IN THE SECOND PARISH OP IPSWICH, AS RECORDED BY 
HEV. ROBERT CROWELL. 

Rev. Mr. Crowell was ordained August 10, 18U, having previously preached here nearly a year. 

1814, Jan. 2. Infant child of Aaron Lee, of edematous affection, aged 4 months. 
Mar. 16. Wife of John Burnham, of consumption, 34 years. 



1811, Sept. 


18. 


Oct: 


6. 


Oct. 


22. 


Nov. 


24. 


Dec. 


13. 


Dec. 


26. 


1812, Jan. 


10. 


Jan. 


9. 


Feb. 


12. 


Mar. 


13. 


Mar. 


21. 


Apr. 


8. 


Apr. 


10. 


Apr. 


20. 


May 


29. 


Aug. 


23. 


Aug. 


23. 


Sept. 


16. 


Oct. 


10. 


Oct. 


20. 


Oct. 


23. 


Oct. 


28. 



APPENDIX. 469 

Widow of Ebenezer Low, aphthoe, 84 years. 

Sally, daughter of Aaron Burnham, consumption, 19 years. 

Polly, daughter of Ezra Burnham, consumption, 8 years. 

Daughter of Jeremiah Low, of measles, 4 years. 

Son of Enoch Low, inflammation of stomach, 1 year. 

Daughter of Michael Burnham, measles, 3 years. 

A male infant of Angeline Marshall, 15 days. 

Washington, son of Jacob Burnham, measles, &c. 

Widow Luf kin, old age, 93 years. 

A child of Luke and Eunice Burnham, measles, &c. 

Noah, son of Abraham and Martha Jones, 3 years, 6 months. 

Widow Poland was buried, died of old age. 

Daniel Quimby was drowned, 18 years, 2 months. 

An infant of Nathaniel Gorton, Jr. 

Son of Sargent Burnham, inflammation of brain. 

Son of Capt. Parker Burnham, 4 years. 

Abraham, son of William Burnham, died abroad, of small pox, 30 
years, 11 months. 

Joshua, son of Benjamin Andrews, abroad, 22 years. 

Aaron, son of widow Polly Foster, at Charleston, S. C, of cholera 
morbus, 17 years, 6 mouths. 

Widow Molly Rust. 

An infant of Henry Burnham, 3 days. 

Judilh, wife of John Dexter, liver complaint, 39 years. 

Matthew Vincent, apprentice of Thomas Choate, nervous fever, 20 
years. 

Mrs. Miriam Lull, of scrofulous consumption. 

Abraham Jones, lung fever. 

An infant of Pliinehas Story, inflammation of bowels, 3 months, 17 days. 

Widow Susanna Story, palsy and fever, 73 years, 3 n^onths, 28 days. 

Oliver Emerton and Andrews were supposed to have been lost 

(at sea) this year. 

Son of Elias Andrews, measles and quinsy, 1 year, 9 months, 7 days. 

Joshua Burnham, measles followed by lung fever. 
Jan. 30. An infant of Caleb and Polly Andrews, mortification of bowels, 5 days. 
Feb. 16. Ruhamah, wife of Daniel Story, consumption, 20 years, 5 months 

17 days. 
Feb. 19. Widow Sarah Perkins, old age. 
Mar. 3. Tabitha, daughter of Benjamin Burnham, consumption, 27 years, 

7 months, 11 days. 
Mar. 22, *«A female infant of Daniel Story, of tabes, 3 months, 7 days. 
Mar. 25. An infant of Thomas M. Procter. 
Mar. 27. Widow Smith, of old age, 97 years, 3 months. 
Mar. 30. A male child of Michael Burnham, lung fever, 4 months. 
Apr. 2. Child of Sargent Burnham, lung fever. 
Apr. 15. William Holmes, after two days illness with lock-jaw, 26 years, 

4 months. 
Apr. 16. An infant of Adam Boyd, soon after birth. 
Apr. 23. Benjamin Andrews, (was baptized Sept. 2, 1753,) of pleurisy fever, 

62 years, 7 months. 
Apr. 25. Child of David Andrews, lung complaint and fits, 1 year, 1 month. 
May 4. Simeon Burnliam, (baptized March 23, 1729,) of old age and St. 
Anthony's fire, 87 years, 1 montli. 



1814 


, Apr. 




May 




May 




June 




July 23. 




July 31. 




July 31. 




July 31. 




Aug. 16. 




Sept. 




Sept. 15. 




Dec. 7. 




Oct. 14. 


1815 


, Jan. 12. 




Jan. 29. 




Apr. 9. 




Mar. 




May 




June 4. 




July 4. 




Aug. 1. 




Aug. 10. 




Nov. 10. 




Nov. 14. 




Nov. 27. 


*> 


Nov. 29. 


.» 


Dec. 20. 


1816, 


Jan. 4. 




Jan. 20. 



Oct. 


30. 


1817, Jan. 


17. 


Jan. 


26. 


Feb. 


5. 


Mar. 


14. 


Apr. 


2. 


Apr. 


11. 


Apr. 


14. 


Apr. 


17. 



470 HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 

1816, May 29. Mary, wife of Zebulon Andrews, consumption, 24 years, 9 months. 
May 29. Stephen Ciioate, of a cancer upon the clieek, 63 years, 6 months. 
June 3. Wife of John Dexter, of lung fever. 
July 6. Infant child of Henry Burnham, 10 days. 

July 7. John Emerson, (baptized Aug. 4,1734,) of dropsy, 81 years, 11 months. 
July 24, Mary, daughter of Benjamin Burnham, Jr., mortification of bowels, 

4 years. 
Sept. 27. Widow Mary Burnham, (baptized April 20, 1729,) lethargy and old 
age, 87 years, 5 months, 7 days. 
Martha, daughter of John and Lucy Low, aphthoe, 1 year, 7 months. 
Anna, wife of Francis Marshall, consumption, 29 years. 
Mary, wife of Benjamin Burnham, Jr., consumption, 41 years, 3 
months ; both members of the church, and both met death with a 
sweet and heavenly calm. 
Lucy, wife of John Goodhue, consumption, 41 years, 10 months. 
J Mina Story, daughter of Jacob Story, typhus, 17 years, 2 months. 
Epes Roberts, consumption, 29 years. 
Christopher Hodgkins, old age, 87 years. 
Jonathan, son of Capt. Jonathan Eveleth, lung fever, 3 years. 
Widow Susanna Choate, lung fever and old age, 83 years. 
Child of Benjamin Burnham, Jr., hydrocephalus internus, 2 years, 

6 months. 
Infant child of Eben and Susanna, epilepsy, 5 days. 
Aaron, infant child of Capt. Joseph Foster, from a scald, 8 months. 
Male child of Asa and Polly Burnham, hydrocephalus internus, 

1 year, 8 months. 
Ira Burnham, lung fever, 29 years. 
Philip, son of John Harlow, nervous fever. 
' Elisha Story, lethargy, 64 years, 10 months. 
Widow Betsey Andrews, consumption, 42 years. 
William Burnham, consumption and old age, 79 years, 8 months. 
Sally Andrews, consumption, 26 years, 7 months. 
Mr. Jeremiah Choate and Mr. Jonathan Low are supposed to have 

been lost at sea this year. 
Widow Hepzibah Cummins, of inflammation of the brain, 46 years. 
Infant child of John Burnham. 

Mrs. Lucy Butler, consumption and jaundice, 31 years. 
Mrs. Polly Millet, pulmonary consumption, 35 years. 
Samuel Burnham, pulmonary consumption, 26 years. 
Widow Hodgkins, paralytic disorder, 80 years. 
Oct. 7. Joanna Giddings, of cancer in breast, died at Salem very suddenly 
while under the operation of a drawing plaster, supposed to be 
made of arsenic ; 21 years. 
Oct. 17. Abner Choate, chronic affection of the liver, 25 years. 
Oct. 27. John Foster, of typhus mitior, or low nervous fever, 18 years, 

4 months. 
Dec. 11. At Andover, Mrs. Hannah, wife of Robert Crowell, of consump- 
tion, interred here ; 27 years, 8 months, 15 days. 
Josiah Poland fell from a ship's mast in New York, and was killed 
instantly, 24 years. 
1819, Feb. 1. Infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Prindle, 3 days. 

Mar. 15. Abigail, daughter of Benjamin and Abigail Cogswell, dropsy of tlie 

head, 11 years. 
Apr. 19. Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., old age and fever, 79 years. 



Sept. 


20. 


Sept. 


24. 


Sept. 


25. 


Oct. 


IL 


Oct. 


21. 


Nov. 


27. 


Dec. 


23. 


Dec. 


25. 


1818, Jan. 


6. 


Jan. 


19. 


Feb. 


18. 


Mar. 


4. 


Mar. 


5. 



APPENDIX. 471 

Betsy Burnham, chronic affection of the brain, 31 years. 

John Burnham, consumption, 41 years. 

Nathan Story, lung complaint, 73 years. 

William Holmes, consumption. 

Elizabeth Pierce, consumption of many years, 78 years. 

Funeral of Mary Allen, dropsy of abdomen. 

Infant of Thomas Low, 5 days. 

Mrs. Thomas Choate, suicide by hanging. 

Isaac Burnham, old age, 81 years. 

John Low, apoplexy. 

Infant daughter of Capt. Jonathan Eveleth, lung complaint, 1 month. 

Infant son of William Low. 

Ruharaa Varney, dropsy and inflammation of brain, 63 years, 9 
months, 10 days. 

Inftmt of John F. Burnham. 

Jacob Burnham, complication of disorders, 68 years, 7 months, 8 
days. 

Wife of Capt. John Procter, consumption. 

Thomas Burnham, mortification, 88 years. 

Infant son of Joseph Allen, lung complaint, 5 months, 14 days. 

Sarah B. Story, daughter of Ephraim Story, 9 years, 7 months, 
7 days. 

An infant daughter of John Mears, throat ail, 7 months. 

Infant son of John Harlow, Jr., lung complaint, 1 year, 8 months. 

Twin infiints of John Goodhue, 2 months. 

Infant of Daniel Story. 

William Howe Burnham, inflammatory fever, 27 years. 

Infant of Samuel Burnham. 

Widow Westley Burnham, old age, 98 years. 

Wife of Jesse Story, liver complaint, 72 years. 

Almira Hardy, dropsy of the chest, 13 years, 9 months. 

Widow Lydia Luf kin, old age, 93 years. 

Widow Ruth Colado, consumption, 33 years. 

Anna, wife of Lieut. Aaron Low. 

Washington Choate, an engorgement of the lungs, 19 years; (mem- 
ber of Dartmouth College^. 
4. , Martha, wife of Abel Story, 30 years. 

John Cogswell, old age, 79 years. 

Amelia, wife of Samuel Burnham, consumption, 33 years. 

Son of Samuel Burnham, dropsy of brain, 4 years. 

Wife of James Andrews, 67 years. 

Capt. John Butler, very suddenly. 

Colored child of Robert Jarret, debility. 

James Andrews, 76 years. 

Eliza Baten, old age, 72 years. 

Child of Thomas Low, Jr., 17 days. 

ACCOUNT OF FUNERALS IN ESSEX SINCE JANUARY 1823. 

1823. Mr. Thomas Low, died of old age and asthmatic complaint, 76 years. 

Apr. 12. 1 Mr. John Story, died in his sleep without waking his companion, 

37 years. 
July 10. Widow Ann Andrews, old age, 82 years. 
Aug. 13. Widow Anna Andrews, old age and dropsy, 94 years, 10 months. 



1819, May 


10. 


May 


29. 


June 


5. 


June 


7. 


June 18. 


June 17. 


Aug. 


7. 


Aug. 


7. 


Aug 


8. 


Sept. 


7. 


Sept. 


21. 


1820, Jan. 


1?. 


June 


16. 


July 


16. 


Aug. 


10. 


Aug. 


15. 


Oct. 


19. 


1821, Feb. 


7. 


Feb. 


16. 


Apr. 


7. 


Apr. 


12. 


Aug. 


9. 


Aug. 


23. 


Sept. 


9. 


Nov. 


2. 


Nov. 


24. 


Nov. 


30. 


1822, Jan. 


22. 


Jan. 


23. 


Feb. 


16. 


Feb. 


24. 


Feb. 


27. 


Apr. 


4. 


Apr. 


9. 


Apr. 


12. 


Apr. 


13. 


Apr. 


15. 


Oct. 


2. 


Oct. 


18. 


Oct. 


16. 



472 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

Jonathan Burnham, extreme nervous debility, 29 years. 

Wife of Jacob Andrews, Sen., worn out, 70 years. 

Wife of Perkins Story, consumption. 

Same afternoon — Son of Thomas M. Procter, nervous fever. 

Wife of Enoch Low. 

Capt. Jacob Andrews, of cancer near the eye. 

Jacob, son of Adam Boyd, lingering disorder and bowel complaint, 

6 years. 
Miss Susan Gorton, consumption, 23 years. 
Mr. Ephraim Burnham, 22 years, 2 months. 
Mr. Abner Poland, old age, 87 years. 
Mr. Mears, suddenly, after shght illness. 
12. , Son of Mr. Epes Story, dropsy of the brain. 
Mr. Daniel Low, old age, 78 years. 
Son of Daniel Story, dropsy of the brain; 4 months. 
Son of Capt. Francis Burnham, lung fever, 5 years. 
Mr. Robert Jarret, colored man, of consumption. 
Mr. Jesse Story, old age, 94 years. 
Mr. Samuel Hardy, consumption. 

Mrs. Molly, widow of Benjamin Andrews, consumption, 78 years. 
Son of Henry Mears, 6 hours. 
Widow Lucy Procter, old age, 89 years. 
Samuel Andrews, dysentery, 16 years. 
Lois Andrews, sister of Samuel, above, dysentery, 27 years. 
Charles, son of Ebenezer Burnham, Jr., dropsy of brain, 4 years. 
Emily Andrews, sister of Samuel and Lois above, dysentery, 11 

years. 
Mrs. Lydia, wife of Elisha Story, dropsy, 24 years. 
Miss Betsy Burnham, consumption, with other diseases, 23 years, 

10 months. 
Oct. 27. Harriet, daughter of John Choate, disease unknown, died in 40 

minutes after being taken, 11 years. 
Susan Varney, burnt from her clothes taking fire, 11 years. 
Almira Andrews, nervous putrid fever, 18 years. 
Mr. William Burnham. He was returning with a grist from the mill ; 

leaned upon his wheelbarrow, said he was faint, and died instantly 

in the street, 48 years. 
Child of Mr. Richard Burnham. 
Child of Mr. Zaccheus Cogswell, a son. 
Child of Mr. William S. Foster. 
Child of Mr. Benjamin Burnham, 9 months. 
Child of Mr. John Butman, 3 months. 
Wife of William Luf kin, 73 years. 
Wife of Daniel Norton. 
Mr. William Burnham, 79 years. 
Mr. James Crawley. 
Wife of Mr. Aaron Eveleth. 
Child of Mr. Enoch Low. 
Child of Mr. Amos Burnham. 
Oct. Child of Mr. Noah Burnham. 

Miss Fanny Burnham. 
« Mr. Stephen Story, drowned. 
^ Jackson, son of Mr. John Story. 
Miss Lois Putnam. 



1828, Aug. 


14. 


Oct. 


7. 


Oct. 


10. 


Oct. 


20. 


Dec. 


19. 


Dec. 


20. 


Dec. 


26. 


1824, Jan. 


20. 


Feb. 


11. 


Apr. 


10. 


Apr. 


12. 


Apr. 


14. 


Apr. 


16. 


May 


13. 


May 


27. 


June 17. 


June 18. 


Aug. 


7. 


Aug. 


19. 


Aug. 


31. 


Sept. 


4. 


Sept. 


8. 


Sept. 


23. 


Sept. 


,30. 


Oct. 


2. 



Not. 


19. 


Nov. 


25. 


Nov. 


29. 


1825, Mar. 




Apr. 




May 




May 


16. 


June 


3. 


June 28. 


July 


IL 


July 


23. 


Aug. 


17. 


Aug. 


25. 


Sept. 


1. 



APPENDIX. 473 

1825, Nov. 22. 'Washington Choate, son of Rev. R. Crowell, 3 days. 
Dec. Mr. Charles Burnham. 

1826, Feb. 1. Mr. Samuel Giddings, at ■work on Saturday and died Sabbath night 

following, 62 years. 

Feb. 3. Daughter of James Eveleth, fever after measles, 4 years. 

Feb. 4. Son of Thomas Holmes, 1 week. 

Feb. 8. George Choate, Esq., paralysis, 64 years. 

Feb. 1 2. Child of James Eveleth, fever after measles, 2 years. 

Feb. 13. Wife of Seth Burnham. 

Feb. 22. Mr. Jacob Andrews, old age, 78. 

Feb. ^5. Infant son of Jonathan Luf kin, Jr., 2 months. 
Mar. 8. , Lucinda Story, daughter of Abel Story, disease unknown. 

Mar. 28. Mr. William Lufkin, old age. 

May 23. Mr. Ezra Burnham, consumption, 63 years. 

June 23. Mr. Jacob Burnham, from burning, 51 years. 

Aug. 27. Daughter of Samuel Mears, 11 months. 

Aug. 28. Miss Susan Shales, consumption, 18 years. " 

Sept. 4. Mr. Francis Marshall, consumption of liver, 39 years. 

Sept. 22. Mrs. Peggy, wife of Joseph Burnham, 84 years. 

Oct. 3. Mr. Nathaniel Gorton, old age, 84 years. 

Oct. 20. Son of Aaron Burnham, Jr., throat ail, 2 years, 8 months. 

Oct. 21. Son of Nathaniel Rowe, throat ail, 1 year. 

1827, Jan. 28. Female child of Benjamin Andrews, Jr., 1 year. 
Feb. 2. Mr. Jonathan Burnham, consumption. 

Feb. 21. Mrs. Kate Hall, disease unknown. 

Mar. 4. Mr. Ebenezer Burnham, disease unknown. 

Mar. 24. Mr. Elisha Burnham, consumption of liver, 33 years. 

July 2. Mr. Mark Burnham, asthma and old age, 74 years. 

Aug. 13. Widow of George Choate, Esq. 

Aug. Sarah, daughter of Capt. James Perkins. 
Son of Mr. Richardson. 

Sept. 23. Sally, daughter of Thomas M. Burnham, burnt, 23 years. 

Nov. 7.^ Child of Abel Story, whooping-cough. 

Dec. 22. Infant son of Thomas Low. 

Dec. 23. Infant son of Henry Meara. 

182 8, Feb. 1. Widow Martha Jones, 57 years. 

Fob. 24. Child of Joseph Andrews. 

Mar. 17. James Nutter, drowned. 

Apr. 5. Ebenezer Burnham, 70 years. 

Apr. 9. Abigail, wife of Michael Burnham, consumption, 43 years. 

Apr. 12. Sarah Marshall, 7G j'ears. 

May 20. p]meline Dexter, 19 years. 

July 8. James Burnham. 

Aug.' 2. Abigail, daughter of Adam Boyd. 

Aug. 21. Abigail Eveleth, consumption, 42 years. 

Sept. 3. Widow Eunice Low, 84 years. 

1829, Jan. 3. Abraham Marshall, consumption, 39 years. 

Apr. 24. Capt. William Choate, 38 years. 

May 22. Miss Mary Giddings, consumption, 20 years. 

July 30. Sarah, wife of John F. Burnham, consumption, 32 years. 

Aug. 20. Sarah Amelia, child of Capt. Samuel Burnham, 7 months. 

Aug. 27. Widow of Enoch Burnham, 70 years. 

Aug. 31. .Luther, Child of Abel Story, 10 months. 
60 



Sept, 


7. 


Sept. 


n. 




18. 


Nov. 


2. 


Mar. 


31. 


Apr. 


15. 


Apr. 


20. 



474 HISTORY OF ESSEX. 

1829, Sept, 7. Mr. William Cogswell, Jr., internal tumor. 
Eliz. A., child of Charles Roberts, 1 year. 
Hannah Choate, cliild of R. Crowell, dysentery, 1 year. 
Mrs. Lucretia Savage, 27 years. 

1 830, Tabilha, wife of Abner Andrews, 35 years. 
Capt. Francis Burnham, Jr., 38 years. 
Mary, wife of Timothy Ross, 60 years. 
Wife of Isaac Low, 50 years. 

Apr. 29. Mary, wife of Westley Burnham, 82 years. 
May 30. j Son of Michael Story, 2i years. 
May 31. Male child of D. Preston, 8 months. 
Moses Marshall, 70 years. 
Male child of Tabitha Burnham, 3 weeks. 
Female child of Daniel Mears, 1 year, 4 months. 
Wife of John Roberts, consumption, 33 years. 
Eunice, wife of Moses Burnham, 50 years. 
Polly Gorten, of cancer, 49 years. 
Mr. Thomas Choate, 78 years. 
Son of Henry Mears, 2 years. 
Widow Sarah Low, 79 years. 
Amos Jones, died in Boston of consumption. 
William Cogswell, Sen., of old age, 83 years. 
Widow Philippa Burnham, 93 years. 
Jeremiah Perkins, 46 years. 
Enos Burnham. 

Daughter of Thomas Hardy, drowned, 2 years. 

Mrs. Sally Kimball, broken limb and dysentery, 79 years. 
7. ^ Widow Lucy Story, relict of Capt. Jonathan Story, old age, 79 years. 

Miss Bethula Burnham, 56 years. 

Widow Lois Story, relict of Elisha Story, old age, 76 years. 

Mrs. Sally, wife of John F. Burnham, consumption, 26 years. 

Mr. Nathan Burnham, worn out, 71 years. 

Mrs. Abigail, widow of Ebenezer Burnham, consumption. 

Mrs. Martha Procter Low, died ip Danvers, of fever, 22 years. 

Mrs. Abigail Burnham, wife of Amos Burnham, Sen., 72 years. 

Grover Dodge, old age. 

Child of John Cogswell. 

Infant of Henry Mears, 3 weeks. 

Hannah Burnham, 4 years. 

Mrs. Luf kin, old age, 93 years. 

Nehemiah Marshall, found dead in his bed, 32 years. 

Nathan Choate, 63 years. 

Aaroii Giddings, about 75 years. 

Widow Butler, 67 years. 

Son of widow Denning, (a child). 

Daughter of Enoch Low. 

Anna Burnham, consumption. 

Widow of Isaac Andrews. 

Wife of Nehemiah Dodge, 57 years. 

Child of Joseph Allen, 7 mouths. 
, Daughter of Elisha Story. 



June 


3. 


June 


3. 


June 


8. 


Sept. 


26. 


Oct. 


10. 


Oct. 


20. 


Nov. 


8. 


Dec. 


6. 


831, Jan. 


27. 


Feb. 


3. 


Mar. 


31. 


Apr. 


10. 


June 


26. 


Sept. 


6. 


Sept. 


^- , 


Sept. 


9. 


Sept. 


^■f 


Sept. 


10.' 


Sept. 


12. 


Oct. 


4. 


Oct. 


28. 


Nov. 


16. 


Dec. 


29. 


1832, Jan. 


25. 


Mar. 


22. 


May 


30. 


June 


4. 


July 


3. 


Aug. 


9. 


Aug. 


25. 


Sept. 


19. 


Oct. 


30. 


Oct. 


31. 


Nov. 


23. 


Dec. 


21. 


Dec. 


21. 


Dec. 


31. 



APPENDIX. 



475 



11. 



COLLEGE GRADUATES, 

FROM TUK FIRST SETTLEMENT OF CIIEBACCO. 

^ Tiine of Where Grndimteil. 

Graduation. 

1689. Eev. John Evelcth Harvard University. 

1695. jolin Perlcins, M. D., Harvard University. 

1699. Eev. Francis Goodliue, Harvard University. 

1700. Eev. Jeremiah Wise, Harvard University. 

1703. Eev. Benjamin Choate, Harvard University. 

1717. Henry Wise, A. M., merchant, Harvard University. 

1718. Francis Cogswell, A. M Harvard University. 

1728. Joseph Wise, M. D., Harvard University. 

1794. Joseph Perkins, Esq., Harvard University. 

1818. George Choate, M. D., Harvard University. 

1819. Hon. Eufus Choate, LL. D., . . Dartmouth College. 

1823. John D. Euss, M. D., Yale College. 

1832. Hon. Jonathan C. Perkins, LL. D., Amherst College. 

1837. Eev. Thomas Sewall, D. D., Middletown University. 

1848. Judge George F. Choate, Esq., Bowdoin College. 

1853. Prof. Edward P. Crowell, Amherst College. 

1861. Rev. Edward Norton, Dartmouth College. 

1865. Eev. David 0. Mears, Amherst College. 

1865. Coeleb Burnham, M. D., Dartmouth College. 

1867. Michael Burnham, Amherst College. 



OTHER PROFESSIONAL MEN. 



1761. 
1770. 
1783. 

1785. 
1788. 
1817. 
1837. 



1846. 
1847. 
1854. 
1861. 
1866. 



Hon. John Choate, . . 
Parker Cleaveland, M. D 
Nehemiah Cleaveland, M. D 
Eev. John 'Cleaveland, Jr, 
Parker Euss, M. D., 
Asa Story, M. D., . . 
Eliphalet K. Webster, M. D., 
Eev. Edwin Burnham, 
Eev. George W. Burnham 
Eev. Hezekiah Burnham, 
Jacob Story, Esq., . . 
Obed B. Low. Esq., . . 
David Choate, Jr., M. D., 
J. Howard Burnham, . 
Edward Smith Eveleth, M. D 



Judge of Court of Common Pleas. 



Dartmouth College Medical School. 
Dartmouth College Medical School. 



Cambridge Law School. 

Massachusetts Medical College. 
Teacher; State Normal School, Illinois. 
Columbia College, Medical Deparuneut. 



476 



HISTOKY OF ESSEX. 



III. 



KEPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATURE 

SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE, IN 1780. 



1781-83. John Clioate, Esq. 
1785-86-88. John Choate, Esq. 

1792-93. Col. Jonathan Cogswell. 

1800-18. Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Sen., 

1814-17. George Choate, Esq. 

1819. George Choate, Esq. 

1824. Jacob Story. 

1827-30. Jonathan Story, 8d, Esq. 

1833-34. Jonathan Story, 3d, Esq. 

1835-30. Charles Dexter. 

1837. Oliver Low. 

1838. George W. Burnham. 

1839. Hon. David Choate. 

1840. Samuel Hardy. 

1840. Aaron L. Burnham, Esq. 

1841. Grover Dodge. 



1842. John Burnham. 

1843. Rev. John rrince. 

1844. Moses Burnham, Jr. 

1845. Ezra Perkins, Jr., Esq. 

1851. Oilman P. Allen. 

1852. William Burnham, 2d. 

1853. Rev. John Prince. 

1855. Rev. John Prince. 

1856. Samuel Story. 

1857. O. H. P. Sargent, Esq. 

1858. Charles Howes. 

1859. Rev. John Prince. 
1861. Ebenezer Stan wood. 
1863. Nehemiah Burnham. 
1865. Timothy Andrews, Jr. 
1867. Leonard McKenzie. 



In the years 1820-23 inclusive, 1825 arid 1826, 1831 and 1832 it was voted " not to 
send." In 1846, and in 1849 and 1850 there was "no choice." In 1854 there was 
no representative chosen ; and there is no record of any election of a representative 
in 1847 or in 1848. 



1781-83. Hon. Stephen Choate, 
1840-41. Hon. David Choate. 



STATE SENATORS. 

I 1858. 



Hon. John Prince. 



DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS. 

1780. Hon. Stephen Choate, to the State Constitutional Convention. 

1780. Col. Jonathan Cogswell, to the State Constitutional Convention. 

1788. Col. Jonathan Cogswell, to the U. S. Constitutional Convention of Mass. 

1788. John Choate, Esq., to the U. S. Constitutional Convention of Mass. 

1820. Jonathan Story, Esq., to the State Constitutional Convention. 

1853, William J. A. Bradford, to the State Constitutional Convention. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 





TOWN CLERKS. 


TOWl 


1819-24. 


Joseph Story. 


1819-24. 


1824^29. 


Jonathan Story, 3d, Esq. 


1825. 


1830-36. 


Col. William Andrews, Jr. 


1826-32. 


1836-39. 


Hon. David Choate. 


1832-38. 


1840-42. 


Jonathan Story, Esq. 


1839-48. 


1843-55. 


Aaron L. Burnham, Esq. 


1849-50. 


1856-61. 


0. H. P. Sargent, Esq. 


1851-67. 


1862-67. 


John C. Choate. 





TOWN TREASURERS. 

Nathan Choate. 
George Choate, Esq. 
Nathan Choate. 
Hon. David Choate. 
Ezra Perkins, Jr., Esq. 
Caleb Cogswell. 
Grover Dodge. 



APPENDIX. 



477 



MODERATOES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING. 



1819-22. George Clioate, Esq. 

1823-25. Jonathan Story, Esq. 

1826-27. Elias Andrews. 

1828-29. Capt. Francis Burnliam. 

1830-32. Jonathan Story, Esq. 

1833-86. Capt. Francis Burnham. 

1837. Col. Joshua Low. 

1838-39. Capt. Francis Burnham. 

1840. (No record). 

1841. Uriah G. SpoflTord. 

1842. Capt. Francis Buniham. 



1843. Uriah G. Spofford. 

1844. Caleb Cogswell. 
1845-47. Capt. John S. Burnham. 
1848-51. Uriah G. Spofford. 
1852-53. Eev. John Prince. 

1854. 0. H. P. Sargent, Esq. 

1855. Uriah G. Spofford. 

1857. Nehemiah Burnham. 

1858. Uriah G. Spofford. 
1859-61. Charles Howes. 
1861-67. Nehemiah Burnham. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, Etc. 

Justices of the Peace. — Jonathan Cogswell, (1733); Francis Choate, (1754); 
Col. Jonathan Cogswell, Sen. ; George Choate ; Jonathan Story, 3d ; David Choate ; 
Aaron Giddings; Aaron L. Burnham; Ezra Perkins, Jr. ; Oliver H. P. Sargent; 
John Prince; Nehemiah Burnham; Ebenezer Stanwood ; Daniel W. Bartlett. 

Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum.. — David Choate. 

Trial Justice. — David Choate. 

Coroners. — David Choate ; Caleb Cogswell. 



CORRECTIONS. 



Page 108.— DE A. JOHN BURNHAM was the ancestor of a ^a?-; only of the Burn- 
hams in Essex. To his son John, Jr., were born Dea. John, 2d, (father of John, 
Samuel, Jeremiah and Nehemiah), Thomas, (father of Fsancis, [whose sons were 
Francis and Nathan,] and of Dea. Thomas), Jonathan and Robert To his other son, 
JosiAH, were born Josiah, 2d, (father of Josiah, 3d, William and Abraham), Jacob and 
Ebenezer. 

The rest of the Burnhams are descended from a brother of Dea. Jolm, 1st, named 
THOMAS, who settled and lived in Ipswich, and whose son John removed to Cliebacco. 
To this John were born John, Thomas, (father of Thomas, [from whom was Winlhrop 
B.,] Jeremiah, Lieut. Nathan, Caleb and Stephen), Jacob, Capt. Jonathan, (father of 
Jonathan, Jr. ; and of Francis, whose^ sous were Capt. Nathaniel, Ebenezer and Jona- 
than, 3d), and David, (father of David, Jr., Westley, 1st, and William). 

According to R. H. Burnham, Esq., author of the History of the Burnham Family, 
about to be published, Dea. John, 1st, and Thomas, 1st, were sons of Robert and Mary 
Andrews Burnham of Norwich, Norfolk Co., England, and sailed for this country in 
charge of their maternal uncle, Capt. Andrews, commander of the vessel Angel Gabriel. 
[See p. 23 of this History]. 



478 COERECTIONS. 

Page 119. — Dea. Low was the so7i of Thomas, the first settler, (see p. 45), d. Sept. 

8, 1677, and grandson of Capt. John Low, commander of the ship Ambrose, and Rear 

Admiral of a fleet of twelve ships, which sailed from England for Salem in April, 1630. 

To Dea. Thomas' son Samuel, were born Samuel, Asa and Daniel, (d. 1824, aged 78). 

Page 130. — The name William Burnham should be omitted. 

Page 148. — The date of Dea. John Choate's death should be July 17 ; and the date 
of his birth, June 15, 1661. 

Page 168. — The year of Dea. Choate's death should be 1733; and the age of Dea. 
Seth Story, 86, (according to Felt's History). 

Page 179, 180. — For Col. Bayley, read Col. Bagley. 

Page 200. — The date of Dea. John Andrews' death in the Parish records, is No- 
vember, 1750; in the printed church covenant, March 16, 1750. 

Page 206. — Israel Andrews, (son of James Andrews, soldier at Bunker's Hill,) is 
still living and more than 90 years of age. 

Page 226. — Maj. Caleb Low was a brother of Thomas, (father of Jeremiah, Caleb, 
David, Thomas, Jonathan, Col. Joshua, Abigail, Josiah and Polly). 

Page 236. — There is no record of the election of Dea. Seth Story, 2d, to the office 
of Elder. Yet in a record of deaths of that day is the following: "Dea. Seth Story, 
afterwards Elder, died Aug. 11, 1786, aged 93." 

According to Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of the first settlers of Xew Bug- 
land, (Boston, 1862,) Williarn Story, the father of Dea. Seth, 1st, was a native of 
Forwich, Norfolk Co., England, and embarked for this country, April 8, 1637, at the age 
of 23. He was a carpenter. Jesse, the son of Dea. Zechariah was the father of Jesse, 
Jr., Parker and Ephraim. The sons of Dea. Seth, 2d, were John and Ebenezer, (father 
of Jonathan). 

Most of the Storys, however, are descended from Andrew, (pp. 40 and 41), who was 
probably a brother of William. The earliest ancester now known of one branch, was 
JACOB STORY. To Ms son Jacob, 2d, were born Maj. Andreiv, Michael, Jacob, Zd, 
(father of Andrew, Michael, Abel, Epes, Enoch and Noah), Elisha, (father of Elisha), 
and Jonathan, (father of Dr. Asa, Col. David, Esq., Jonathan and Perkins). To his 
son Stephen were born Stephen, (father of John, Seth, Stephen and Daniel), Esquire 
David and Daniel. To 'still a thv-d branch belonged Willia7n Story, whose sons were 
Master Joseph, William and Jonathan. 

Page 246. — Rev. Mr. Cleaveland received his degree of A. B. from Yale College in 
1763, and the same year the honorary degree of A. M. from the same Institution. 
The latter degree was also conferred on him by Dartmouth College, in 1782. 

Page 253. — The date of Dea. Jonathan CogswelVs death should be 1812. 

Page 270. — The date of Dea. Jonathan CogsweWs marriage should be 1748. 

Page 274. — Samuel Burnham was elected deacon in 1828, Caleb Cogsiuell, deacon in 
1862, and Robert W. Burnham, treasurer, in 1868. 

Page 284. — This William Cogsiuell, who d. February, 1831, aged 83, was a son of 
John, id, and grandson of John, Jr., — son of the first settler. 

Page 315.— For Sept. 4, 1822, read Sept. 24, 1822. 

Page 325. — For Nathaniel Macintire, read Mclntire. 

Page 325.— Town Statistics for 1850: Population, 1572; Valuation, $390,553; 
money raised for schools, $1300 ; for highway.s, $700 ; for other town charges, $1200. 

Page 347. — Andrew Story and Jacob Burnham, 2d, should be included in the second 
list of vessel builders. 

Page 359. — For William Eayden, read William H. Hayden; and for William S, 
Howard, read William C. Howard. 

Page 360. — For George S. Burnham, read George F. Burnham, \st. 

Page 361. — For Edward L. Lander, read Edward W. Lander. 

Page 363.— For William Haskell, read William A. Haskell. 



Index. 



Able-bodied men, proportion of in 


Revolutionary Army, 208, 


211, 214 


Action of town upon calls for volun- 


teers, . 


359, 360 


" upon orders for drafts, . 


361, 364 


Alarm List, 


222 


Allen, Joseph G., 


388 


" Hervey, . 


386 


" Eobert Wallace, 


415 


Ancient houses, 142, 149, 166,174 


270, 286 


Andrews, Albert, 


382 


" Alburn, 


388 


" Charles Edwin, . 


419 


" Lieut. Cyrus, 


420 


Prank B., . 


386 


" Gilman, 


386 


" Horatio Nelson, . 


411 


" Ira, Jr., 


389 


" Israel F., . 


377 


" James, 


206,478 


" John, Sen , . 


74 


" " oppositioi 


1 to 


tyranny of Gov. An( 


Iros, 97 


" " trial and punish- 


ment of, . 


101 


" Dea. John, . 


200,478 


" Lieut. John, 


94 


" Lyman B., . 


385 


" Monsieur M., 


397 


" Prince A., . 


394 


" Reuben, 


419 


" Rufiis, 


394 


" Stephen P., 


407 


" Timothy, Jr., 


401 


'• Col. William, sketch of 


, 315 


" William A., 


396 


William H., 


388 


Andros, Sir Edmund, resistance to 


tyranny of, 


97 


Antiquarian bookstore, Burnham 


s 326 


Appropriations for schools, 273, 


284, 315, 


[320, 324, 335, 336, 


344, 478 


Arnold, Rev. A. C. L., 


316 


Artillery regiments and batteries. 


sol- 


diers, in, ... 


429, 430 



Bacon, Rev. J. M., installation of, 335 

Baker, Rev. H. H., . . . 316 

Bark-Mill, 309 

Barn struck by lightning, . . 173 

Bartlett, Daniel W. Esq., . 357, 477 

" Mrs. D. W., . . . 335 

" Jacob 0., . . . 389 



Battery, 4th Mass. Light, . . 430 
Bears, . . . . , 94 

Belcher, Joseph, .... 155 
Bishop's grave, .... 453 
Boat-Builder, first, . . . 61 

Bookstore, Antiquarian, . . 326 
Boundary-line between Chebacco and 

rest of Ipswich, . 87 

" Essex and Ipswich, 283, 284 

Bounties, town, in Revolutionary war, 214, 

[222 

" inwarof Rebellion, 360, 361, 

[363 

Boyd, Adam, . ... . 347 

Bradstreet, Goodman, ... 23 

Bridge, contemplated in 1852, . 438 

" Great, . . 107, 270, 298, 355 

" UafBeld's, ... 55 

" Horse, .... 

Bunker's Hill Battle, soldiers in, '. 

Burgoyne, soldiers at surrender of, 

Burnliam, Dea. Aaron, 

" Aaron L. Esq., . 
" Abner, 



100 
206 
217 
268 
477 
363, 430 
Rev. Dr. Abraham W., 348 
Albert Frank, (son of F.B.) 409 
AlbertF., 2nd, (sonof E.B.) 378 
415 
388 
294 
391 
206 
409 
394 
399 
313 
175, 183 
407 



Albion, 
Alfred M., . 
Amos, 
Andrew F., 
Benjamin, . 
Charles A., 
Constantine, 
Daniel, 
David, 

Master David, 
David Brainard, 
Rev. Edwin and brothers, 475 
Ezra Francis, . . 423 
Francis, (Bunker's Hill sol- 
dier,) ... 206 
Francis, . . . 391 
Dea. Francis, . 274, 309 
Geo. P., 1st, (sou of Silas B.,) 402 
Geo. P., 2d, (son of Joel B.,) 377 
George Wasliington, . 410 
Harian Page, . . 390 
Horace, . . . 377 
Ira Francis, . . 375 

James lIorace,> . . 377 
James Howe, . . 415 
Jesse, ... 388 



480 



INDEX. 



Burnham, Dea. John, (first settler,) 24, 41, 
[93, 107, 108, 477 
" John, (son of Dea. John,) 60, 107 
" John, (son of Thomas, 1st,) 477- 
" John, 3d, . . . 151 
" Dea. John, 2d, . . 168 
" Maj. John, . ' 239, 349 

" John Brown, . . 395 
" Col. Jonathan, . . 352 
" Lamont G., . . 372 

" Leonard, . . . 378 
" Lewis, ... 378 

" Mark P., . . . 382 
" Dea. Nathan, . . 274 

Lieut. Nathan, . 175,180 

" Capt. Nathaniel . 336, 347 

" Nehemiah, Esq., . 477 

" Osgood E., . . 41 1 

" Otis, .... 389 
" Parker, 1st, . 61. 186, 345 

" Parker, 2d, . 345, 346 

" Robert W., sketch of West- 
ley Burnham, by, . 313 
" Robert W., Jr., . . 417 

Rollins M., . . 392 

Rufus, ... 418 

" Samuel, (emigrant to Dun- 
barton,) ... 348 
" Capt. Samuel, voyage of 314 

Dea. Thomas, 175, 200, 2.53 
" Lieut. Thomas, . . 60 

Thomas M., . 325, 439 

" Westley, sketch of, . 312 
" "Westley, descendants of, 314 

Widow Westley, . 313 

AVilbur, . . . 422 

WiUiam, ... 335 
" William Howe, . . 394 

WiUiam H. H., . . . 396 

" Zaccheus, voyage of, . 315 

" Zenas, . . . 391 

" boy, exploit of, . . 93 

Burnham's antiquarian bookstore, 326 

creek, . .41, 52, 107 

Burnhams, ancestors of, 108, 314, 477 

Batman, Ancill K., . . . 396 

" John C, . . . . 424 

Callehan, "Daniel, . . . 387 
" Maurice, . . . 379 

Calls, president's for volunteers, 358 360 
Canal company, . . . . 293 
Causeways, . . 107, 270, 300 

Cavalry regiments, soldiers in, . 430 
Celebration, Fourth of July, by Light 

Infantry, . . 265 
" of peace with England, 275 

" Semi-centennial of Decla- 

ration of Independence, 303 
Cemetery, Spring street, Consecration 

of, . . . . 331 
" cost and size of, . . 331 
" extract from address at 

consecration of, . 332 

Census returns, 238, 293, 307, 320, 335, 

[336, 344, 478 



Central school, . . . . 311 

" division of, . . 312 

" district and house, 3 1 1 

Century chapel, . . . 325 

Channel, John C, ... 402 

Chapel of congregational clmrch, 293 

Charities, . . . . 155, 227 

Chase, Lyman H., . . . 415 

Chebacco, boundary line of, . 87 

" charges to General Court 

against, by Ipswich, 75 

" condition of in 1700, . llO 
" " " in 1800, . 254 

" first settlers of, . . 23, 45 
" first meeting-house in, 78, 83, 

[86 
" first public worship in, 74 

" incorporation of into a town, 282 
" men from, in campaign 

against Shay's Rebellion, 237 
" men from, in Pequot War, 40 
" " in Revolutionary 

War, • ... 233 
" menin warof 1812, . 271 
" population of, 110,238,254 
" quota of in 1780, . 226 

" settlement of, . . 23 

" vindication of doings of, in 

obtaming preaching, 75 

" boat, first, . . . 61 

" company of militia in Re- 
volutionary army, . 211 
" Library Association, incor- 
poration of, &c., . 330 
" Military Company, forma- 
tion of in Revolution, 203 
" parish, formation of, . 72 

" river, . . " . . 448 
" Social Library, . . 255 
Choate, Aaron, . . . 234, 352 

" Rev. Benjamin, . . 172 
" David, sketch of, . . 266 
" Dudley, .... 294 
" Esq., Francis, . 164, 166, 219 

" Dr. George, sketch of,- . 278 
" Esq., George, sketch of, . 301 
" James, . . . 234, 351 

" John, (first settler,) . 25, 45 

" John, 2d, farm of, . . 45 

" John, sketch of, . . 342 
" Col. and Hon. John, sketch of, 187 
•' Dea. John, . . 148, 478 

'• Esq , John, . . 238, 242 

" Lieut. John, . . 214, 222 

" Mrs. Mary, ... 287 
" Nehemiah, ... 206 
" Rufus, LL.D., sketch of, . 288 
" " speech of, on Pension 

Bill, .... 230 
" Dea. and Hon. Stephen, 200, 275 
" Thomas, .... 437 
" Captain Thomas, 45, 124, 145, 159 
" Washington, sketch of, . 295 
" William,. ... 352 
Choate's Brook, . . .55, 88, 232 
Choir smging, .... 234 



INDEX. 



481 



Christian Society, history of, 268, 326 

Church Chebacco, division of, . 160 

" first covenant of, . 92 

" formation of, . . 89 

" Number of members of 

at different periods, 139, 

[168, 200, 253 

" Officers of, 93, 138, 168, 200, 

[252 

Church Christian, ... 268 

" Cong'l., officers of since Mr. 

Crowell's ordination, 274,478 
" fourth, organization and first 
officers of, . . 164, 
" second, condition of at Mr. 
Pickering's death, 
Churches, 2d and 4th, articles of 
union of, 
" 2d and 4th, measures for 
union of. 
Citizens' committee, men hired by 

in 1863, 
Citizenship in 17th century, 
Claiborne, George C, . 
Clam business, . 
Clark's Creek, 
Cleaveland, Ebenezer, 

" Eev. Ebenezer, 

" Rev. John, chaplaincy of 

in French War, 
" Rev. John, chaplaincy of 

in Revolution, 
" Rev. John, controversy of 

with Pickering, 
" Rev. John, donation visit 

at house of, . 
'* Rev. John, inscription on 

tombstone of, 
" Rev. John, journal of, in 

French War, 
" Rev. John, narrative of 

revival of religion by, 
" Rev. John, ordination 

of, 
" Rev. John, 
deaths by, 
" Rev. John, 



165 



168 



198 



197 



363 
37 
385 
352 
41, 52, 108 
225 
164 



175 



208 



168 



193 



252 



176 



184 



166 



record of 



460 



record of 

marriages by, . 454 

" Rev. John, sketch of, 245, 478 

" Rev. John, Jr, sketch of, 235 

" Dr. Nehemiah, sketch of, 208 

[212, 317 

" Dr. Parker, sketch of, 302 

Clifford, David B., . . . 397 

Coast defence, soldiers employed in, 

[360, 428, 430 
guard in Revolution, 209, 210, 218 



Cogswell, 


Aaron, . . . 271 


" 


Adam, . 83, 111, 114, 133 


i( 


Addison, . . . 386 


II 


Benjamin, . . . 270 


" 


Caleb, . . . 477 


11 


" sketch of vessel 




building by, . . 344 


II 


Francis, . . 130, 173 


II 


George, ... 396 




61 



Cogswell, Lord Humphrey, . . 271 
•' John, (first settler,) children 

and first house of, 24, 270 
" " death and burial of, 66 

" " grant of land to, 23,61, 

" " origin and voyage to 

this country of, 23 

" John, Jr., leases school farm, 52 
" John, 3d, . . . 69 

" Lieut. John, . . . 270 
" Col. Jonathan, Sen., services 

of in Revolution, 204, 211, 221 
" Col. Jonathan, Sen., sketch of, 285 
" Col. Jonathan, Jr., sketch 

of, . . . 262, 273 
" Dea. Jonathan, . . 270 
'' Esq. Jonathan, . . 149 
" Northern, ... 228 
" William (early settler), 72, 74, 78, 
[83, 108, 270 
" William, soldier in Indian war, 1 1 9 
" William, . . 284, 478 

" family, certain branches of, 270 
Cold intense, . . . 224, 276 
College graduates, and other profes- 
sional men, . , . . 475 
Commoners, .... 44 

" land, . ' . . 123 

Co. E. 48th reg't, sketch of, . 364 

Cong'l society, sale of lauds of, . 321 
Constitutional conventions, delegates 

to, . . . . 223, 238, 476 

Contribution for South Carolina and 

Georgia, 227 

Conveyances, first public to Boston, 183, 209 
Cook, Moses, . . . . 391 
Coose, William D., . . . 393 

Coroners, 477 

Court-house and jail in 17th century, 55 
Coy, Michael, . , . . 426 
Craft, Elder Eleazer, . . 165, 242 
Crafts, Franklin, . . . 413 

" John, Jr., ... 413 

Crockett, Charles P., . . . 380 
Cross, Robert, .... 41 

Crowell, Rev. Robert, ordination of, 274 
" Rev. Robert, record of deaths 

by, . . . . 468 
" Rev. Robert, record of mar- 
riages by^ . . 457 
" Rev. Robert, sketch of, ix 

Currency, depreciation of, . . 131 
" redemption of, . . 214 

Dark Day, account of, . . 224 
Davis, Dr. Ebenezer, . . . 194 
Deacons of Chebacco Church, 93, 138, 168, 

[200, 252 
" of Cong'l Church, . 274,478 

" of Fourth Church, . . 165 
Deaths by lightning. . . 173, 335 

" of soldiers in Revolution, 206, 211, 
[216, 221, 233 
" ofsoldiersin war of Rebellion, 431 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Cleave- 
land, .... 460 



482 



INDEX. 



Deaths, record of, by Rev. Mr. Crowell, 468 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Holt, 467 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Web- 
ster, .... 465 
Debating Society, . . , 276 
Debt of Essex, . 285, 335, 336, 344 

Deer hunt, description of . . 153 
" reeves, . . . 194, 238 

Delegates to Constitutional Conven- 
tions, . . . 223, 238, 476 
Dexter, John, sketch of, . . 450 
Dodge, George, . . . . 418 
'• William G. . . . 400 
Drafts in war of Rebellion, . 361-364 
Drouths, .... 169, 183 

Duggan, Daniel, . . . . 417 
" Morty, . . . . 412 
Dutton, Rev. C. H., . . . 316 

Eathquakes, . . .44, 143, 173 

East District 272 

" School-houses, . . 273, 324 
Ecclesiastical affairs, 72, 81, 88, 160, 171, 
[197, 268, 307 
Education in 1 7 th century, . . 103 
" 18th century, 111, 130, 151, 
[155,174,183,223,228,240 
" 19th century, 254, 261, 271, 
303, 308, 311, 320, 324, 
[357 
Elections and Citizenship in I7th cen- 
tury, 37 

Emigrants from Essex, . . 348 
Enlistments under calls for Volun- 
teers, . . 359, 360 
" under ordersfor drafts, 361, 363 
Equipments of Militia in Revolution, 222 
Essex, act of incorporation of, . 282 
" boundaries of, . . 282, 284 
" debt of, . . 285,335, 336, 344 
" description of scenery of, 447 
" Emigrants from, . . 348 
«' extent of . . . . 285 
" first settlement of, . . 23 
" first town meeting and offi- 
cers of, . . . . 284 
" latitude and longitude of, . 285 
" measures for incorporation of, 278 
" Minerals in, . . . 446 
" number of acres of land in, 285 
" number of paupers in, . 285 
" petition for incorporation of, 279 
" population of, 285, 307, 320, 335, 
[336, 344, 478 
" remonstrance of Ipswich to 

incorporation of, . . 281 
" valuation of, 285, 293,307, 320,335, 
[336, 344, 478 
" mill corporation, . . 297 
" soldiers in War of Rebellion, 
" " address of welcome to, 432 

" " aid to families of, . 359 

" " battles of, . . 432 

" " bounties to, . 360, 361, 363 

'• " character of, 367, 433 

" " deaths of, . . 431 



Essex soldiers, enlistments of, 359-361, 363 
" " number of, . , 432 

" " sketches of, . 364-427 

" " summary of by regi- 

ments, . 427-430 
" " town aid to families of, 359 

Eveleth, Rev. John, sketch of, . 150 
" Jonathan, . . . 151 
" Joseph, ... 150 

Exempted from military service in 

Revolution, . . 222 
" in War of Rebellion, . 362 

Falls-landing, road to, . 298, 345 

Falls school district, . . . 183 

" school houses, 175, 183, 254, 308, 367 

Fast, Quarterly, . . . . 182 

" " centennial observance 

of, . . . 337 

Ferries in I7th century, . . 106 

Fever, nervous putrid, . . 195 

Fields, Charles H., . . • 425 

Fight, naval, in Gloucester harbor, 208 

Fire engines, . . 300, 329, 344 

First settlers, character of, . . 35 

" " houses of, . . 25, 46 

" " imaginary visits to, 25,46, 69 

" " mode of living of, . 69 

Fish wear, 31 

Fishing business, . 148, 194, 260 

" voyage in early times, . 62 

Fort Warren enlistment, . . 360 
Foster, Capt. Aaron, . 134, 156, 267 

Fourth of July, celebration of, by 

Light Infantry, 266 
" " " celebration of in 

1825, . . 303 

Fox creek, 293 

FrenchWars, soldiersin, 112, 139, 156, 175 
Frigates, British, off Ipswich bay, 218, 275 

Geology of Essex, . . . 446 

Giddinge, Elder Daniel, . 195, 200 

Giddings, Esq. Aaron, . . 477 

" Dea. Solomon, 200, 239, 252 

" Thomas, ... 437 

Gilbert, John F., ... 389 

Gloucester fight, ... 208 

Gofi", Rev. S., . . . . 316 

Goodhue, Rev. Francis, sketch of, 117 

" William, Sen., 24, 33, 69, 122 

" William, Jr., opposition to 

tyranny of Andros, 97 

" William, Jr., trial and pun- 
ishment of, . . 101 
" William, Jr., sketch of, 74, 117, 

[122 
" Mrs. William, Jr., . 81 

Grammar school, Ipswich, Chebacco 

boys in, . 130 
" " farm of, . . 51, 131 

Grave-yard, first, . . 88, 320 

•' No. of burials, and oldest 

inscription in, . 333 
Great bridge, 107, 270, 298, 304, 355 



INDEX. 



483 



Great mill, . 
Grist-mill, first, . 
Guppy, George F., 

Haffield's bridge, 

Hail-storm, 

Hardy, Alphonso M., . 

" Daniel, 

" George C , 

" Samuel, . 
Hardy's hall, 
Haskell, Albert A., 

" James Frederick, 

" Nathaniel, 

" William A., . 

" William P., . 
Hatch, Jason, 
Hayden, Luther, . 

" William H., . 
High school, effort for, 
Hog Island, settlement of, 

" " road to, . 
Holt, Rev. Thomas, 



297 

. ■ 60 
402 

55 
324 
378 
336 
390 
33G, 347 
344 
403 
395 
385 
394 
406 
393 
378 
396 
261 
45, 145, 159 
265 



269 
record of deaths 
by, . . 467 
" " " record of mar- 

riages by, 457 

Horse bridge, .... 106 
Houses, ancient, 106,149, 166,174,270,286 
" of early settlers, . . 25, 46 
Howard, William C, . . . 414 
Howes, Capt. Charles, . . 364 

" Edwin A., . . . 416 

" Erastus 420 

" Webster, ... 389 

Hull, Dr. William H., . . 338, 409 

Imcorporation of Essex, . . 282 
Independence, celebrations of, 265, 303 
Indian relics, . . . 333, 439 

" wars, soldiers in, 40, 69, 96, 112 
Indians, customs and wigwams of, 29 

" territory of Ipswich purchased 

from, . . .38, 44, 97 
Infantry and troopers in I7th century, 94, 

[110 
" Light,historjof, 262,205,303,319 
" regiments, in war of Rebel- 
lion, soldiers in . . 427-9 
Ipswich, action of on political affairs, 

185, 192, 193, 195, 196, 202, 204, 
[210, 223, 2;i8 
" character of early settlers of, 35 
" charges of, against Chebacco 

about public worship, 75 

" fright, .... 205 
" Grammar school, Chebacco 

boys in, 130 
" " farmof, 51, 131 

" money raised by for army of 

Revolution, 214, 223, 225, 226, 

[228 

" quota of, in French war, 112 

" " in Pequot war, 40 

" " in Revolution, 211, 214, 

[226 



Ipswich, remonstrance of to incorpo- 
ration of Essex, . . 281 
" settlement of, . . 23 

" tax of, in 1703, . . 112 
" territory of, purchased from 

Indians, . . 38, 44, 97 



Jackson, Andrew, 
James, W. Wilkins, 
Jones, John S., . 
'' Samuel Q., 
Justices of the Peace, 

Kelleher, John, 
Kimball, James B., . 

Lamson, Dr. Josiah, . 
Lander, Edward W., . 
Landings, town, . . 298, 324, 

Latin school in Ipswich, 
Latitude and longitude of Essex, 
Lee, John E., . . . . 
Legacy to Universalist Society, . 
Library Association, incorporation of, 
Library, Chebacco Social, 
Light Infantry Co., history of, 262, 

[303, 
Lightning, deaths by, . . 173, 
Lime-kiln, ..... 
Line manufacturers. 
Liquor forbidden by town, to men re- 
pairing highways. 
List of soldiers in Revolutionary 
Army, 

" " " in War of Rebel- 

lion, . 
Locks of mill corporation, . 
Long Island, soldiers in battle of, 350, 
Louisburg, soldiers at capture of, 156, 
Lovering, Dr. John D., 
Low, Aaron (Revolut'y soldier), 206, 

" Aaron, .... 

" Albert F., . 

" Major Caleb, 

" Capt. David, 

" Edward, . 

" Enoch, 

" Capt. John, 

" Lieut. Stephen, . 

" Thomas (first settler), . 

" Dea. Thomas, sketch of, 74, 

" William B., ... 

" William E., ... 

" Capt. Winthrop, sketch of, . 

" Bible, .... 

" family, ancestors of, . 
Lufkin, Albert E., . . . 
" Alfred, .... 
" Charles Perry, 
" Hervey, .... 
" Jacob (in French War), . 
" William, 
Lyceum, Essex, . • . . 

Mauony, Thomas, 
Malt-brewing, .... 



226, 
204, 214, 



175, 



378 
413 
416 
392 
477 

380 
380 

338 
423 

345 
104 
285 
391 
317 
329 
255 
265, 
319 
335 
183 
336 

301 

233 

427 
297 
351 
441 
333 
237 
373 
294 
478 
222 
389 
294 
478 
180 
45 
119 ■ 
38(? 
387 
352- 
354 
478 
390 
394 
419 
391 
176 
390 
329 

380 
121 



484 



INDEX. 



Manufactures in iTth century, . 59 

Marriage ceremony in " . 50 

Marriages, record of, by Rev. Mr. 

Cleaveland, . . 454 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Crow- 
ell, .... 457 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Holt, 457 
" record of, by Rev. Mr. Web- 
ster, . . . 455 
Marshall, Jonathan (in French War), 181 
Marston, Charles E., . . . 383 
Martin's Rock, . . . . 448 
Martyn, John L., ... 415 
McEachen, John, . . . 379 
Mclntire, Edward E., . . . 397 
" William H., . . . 389 
Mears, David and William H., . 336 
" Francis Gilbert, . . 413 
Henry C, ... 396 
" John, Sen., ... 336 
" John, Jr., . . . 336 
" Rufus E., ... 399 
" Samuel, Jr., . . . 414 
Meeting-house, first, action of General 

Court, respecting, 81 
" " agency of women in 

erecting, . . 78 

" " dedication of, . 85 

" " location and descrip- 

tion of, . . 83, 86 
" " mode of seating in, 85 

" " fourth, description and 

dedication of, 243, 244 
" " of Christian Soc'y, 268, 325 

" "of Cong. Society, re- 

modeling and re- 
dedication of, 320, 321 
" " of Universahst Society, 

dedication of, . 316 
" ; " of Universalist Society, 
subsequent improve- 
ments in, . . 316 
" " second, description of 

and mode of seating in, 128 
" " description of worship 

in, . . . 132 

" " location of, . . 126 

" " third, . . . 171 

Meeting-houses, ancient, . . 436 

" '' and schools, nurseries 

of civil liberty, 129 
Men classified for military service in 

Revolution, . \ . 222 
" hired by citizens' committee in 

1863, .... 363 
" number of above age of sixteen 

in Revolution, . . 214, 222 
" proportion of able-bodied in Rev- 
olutionary army, 208, 211, 214, 226 
Military affairs in 17th century, 40, 68,93, 96 
" •' in 18th century, 112, 156, 

[175-182, 203, 206-234, 237 
" "in 19th century, 262, 265, 

[271, 274, 303, 319 
Military company, formation of in 
Revolution, .... 203 



Military service, classification of men 

for in Revolution, 222 
" " exempts from in Rev- 

olution, . 222 

Militia in Revolution, Chebacco com- 
pany of, 211, 222 
" " equipments of, 222 

" " hardships of, 230, 

[233 
" " in active ser- 

vice, . 211 
" " organization of, 221 

" " value of ser- 

vices of, . 231 
Militia in 19th century, last officers of, 319 
Mill, bark-rolling and hide, . . 309 
Mill corporation, account of, . 297 

Mills at the Falls, . . .60, 309 
" saw and grist, . . 60, 297, 310 
Minerals in Essex, . . . 446 
Ministers, first of Ipswich, 34. 36, 52 

" of Chebacco parish, 74, 88, 141, 
[170, 197, 253 
" of sixth Parish, . 164,165 

" of Christian society, . 268 
" of Congregational society, 269, 
[274, 335 
" of Universalist society, 316 
Mode of living of early settlers, . 69 

Moderators of annual town-meeting, 477 
Morse, Charles F., . . . 419 
" Thomas A., . . . 421 
Musical precocity, . . . 337 
Mussey, Dr. Reuben D., extract from 

oration of, 265 
" " " sketch of, 260 

Navy, U. S., men in, in war of Rebel- 
lion 430 

New Jersey, revolutionary soldiers, in 
campaign in, . . . 212, 350 

North district, (new), . . . 312 
" " (old), division of, . 310 

" school-houses, . 174, 254, 312 

Northern army of Revolution, num- 
ber of soldiers in, . . 215, 350 

Norton, Rev. John, ... 36 



Old and new style. 



73 



Parish, Chebacco, formation of, . 72 

" sixth, formation of, 161,171 

Parishes, union of, . . 197, 200 
Parsonage-houses, . . 89, 113 

" lands, vote for sale of, 321 
Parsons, John J., . . . 412 
Partridge, Rev. Emmons, . . 316 
Patriotic spirit of people before the 

Revolution, 185, 187, 191, 193, 194, 196 
Paupers, . . 285, 301, 335, 344 
Pay of soldiers in Revolution, 214, 222 
Peace with England, celebration of, 275 
Pequot war, Chebacco men in, . 40 

" " pay of soldiers in, . 44 

" " quota of Ipswich in, 40 
Perkins, Aaron, . . . 206,237 



INDEX. 



485 



Perkins, Abraham, . . . 234 

" Ezra, Jr., Esq., . . 477 

Capt. Francis, . 204,211 

Gustavus S., . . 418 

" James, .... 238 

" John, (early settler,) . 24, 255 

" John, Jr., fish wear of, . 31 

" Dr. John, . . 130,255 

John, (son of Joseph, 2d,) 256 

" Hon. Jonathan C, sketch of, 308 

Joseph, 1st, 171, 174, 234, 255 

" Joseph, (son of Joseph, 1st,) 255 

" Esq. Joseph, sketch of, 255 

Procter P., . . .357 

William, . . 130,255 

" family, partial genealogy of, 255 

Petitions for formation of parish in 

Chebacco, . . 73, 75 
" for incorporation of Essex, 279 
Physicians in Chebacco and Essex, 

194, 260, 338 
Pickering, Rev. Theophilus, contro- 
versy of with Cleaveland, 168 
Eev. Theophilus, council 
to consider dissatisfac- 
tion with, . . 162 
Eev. Theophilus, griev- 
ances against, . 160 
Eev. Theophilus, house 

of, . . 142,286 

Rev. Theophilus, salary 

of, . . . 142,152 
Rev. Theophilus, sale of 

land by to parish, . 151 
Rev. Theophilus, settle- 
ment of, . . 141 
Rev. Theophilus, sketch 
of, . . . . 166 
Pink-stern vessels, . . . 344 
Poland, Jeremiah, Jr., . . 416 
Political aflairs iu ITth century, 97-103 
" " in 18lh century, 110, 123, 
144-146, 148, 156, 182, 185, 
186, 191-196, 201, 202, 
[204, 210,214, 219,223, 238 

Poor- farm, 300 

Poor-houses, . . . 301, 309 
Population, of Chebacco, . 110, 238 
" of Essex, 285, 293, 307, 320, 
[335, 336, 344, 478 
Porter, Rev. Nehemiah, sketch of, 170, 189 
Post-masters, . . . 294, 357 
Post-ofiBce in Essex, . . . 294 
" " in Ipswich, . . 209 

Potato, introduction of, . . 153 
Pound, town, . . . . 135 
Powder-house, . . . . 319 
Preacher, first in Chebacco, . 74 

President Lincoln's calls for volun- 
teers, .... 358, 360 
" " orders for drafts, 361, 

[3G2, 363, 364 
Prest Robert, . . . . 379 
Prince, Hon. John, sketch of, . 338 
Privateering in Revolution, . 210, 218 
Procter, Charles W., . . 294,412 

" Joseph, Jr., . . . 412 



Procter Samuel, .... 206 
Pubhc worship, charges of Ipswich 
against Chebacco re- 
specting, . . 75 
" " first in Chebacco, 74 
" in 17th century, . 49 
in 18th century, . 132 

Quarterly fast, established, . 182 
" centennial observance of, 337 

Quota of Chebacco in Revolution, 211, 214, 

[226 
" Essex in 1862, . . 361 
" " July 8th, 1863, . 3b-2 

" " October 17th, 1863, 363 

" " in 1864, 364 

" Ipswich in French and In- 
dian war, . 112 
" " Pequot war, 40 

" " 1780, . . 226 

Railroad, efforts for, . . 448 

Rand, Rev. John, . . . 268 

Rebellion, war of, address of wel- 
come to soldiers in, 432 
" aid to families of soldiers 

in, . . . . 359 
" battles of soldiers in, 432 

" bounties to soldiers in, 360-363 

" calls for volunteers in, 358, 360 

" characterof soldiers in,367,433 

Co. E., 48th reg't in, . 364-372 
" deaths of soldiers in, . 431 

" enhstmentg of soldiers 

_ in, . 359, 360, 361, 363 
" list of soldiers in, by regi- 

ments, . . 427-430 
" number of soldiers in, 432 

" orders for drafts in, 361-364 

" quotas of town in, 361-364 

" recruits hired in, 363, 364 

" sketches of soldiers in, 364-427 

" soldiers drafted in, 362, 364 

Recruits hired by citizens' committee, 363 
" hired by town, . . 364 
Regiments, summary of soldiers by, 427 
Relics, Indian, . . . 333, 439 
Representatives in Legislature, . 476 
Revenue, U. S., surplus, disposition 

of, ... 319 

Revival of religion, Cleaveland's nar- 
rative of, . . 184 
Revivals of rehgion, 160, 184, 304 
Revolutionary Army, bounties for 

enlistments in, 214, 222 
" company of militia in, 211 

" deathsof soldiers in, 206, 

[211, 216, 221, 233 
" list of soldiers in, 238 

" money raised by town 

for, 223, 225, 226, 228 
" pay of soldiers in, 214, 222 

" proportion of able- 

bodied men in, 208, 211, 
[214, 226 
" supplies for, fur- 

nished by to wn, 226, 226 



486 



INDEX. 



Revolutionary Army, town aid to 

families of soldiers in, . 215, 219 
Revolutionary War, classification of 

men for service in, 222 
" equipments of militia 

in, . . . 222 
" formation of military 

company at open- 
ing of, . . 203 
" hardships of the mili- 

tia in, , 230, 233 
" men above 16 years 

old, in time of, 222 
" men exempted from 

military service in, 222 
" militia in active ser- 

service in, . . 211 
" organization of militia 

in, . . 221, 222 
" siege of Yorktown in, 227, 

[350 
" soldiers at surrender 

of Burgoyne in, 217,350 
" soldiers at Valley 

Forge in, . 218,350 
" soldiers in battle of 

Bunker's Hill in, 200,350 
" soldiers in battle of 

Long Island in, 350, 351 
. " soldiers in battle of 

White Plains in, 212 
" soldiers in Northern 

army in, 215, 217, 350 
" soldiers in Rhode Is- 

land in, . . 220 
" soldiers in Jersey cam- 

paign in, . 212, 350 
" value of services of 

militia in, . 231 

Richardson's Hall, . . . 356 
Riggs, Solomon A., . . . 376 
Road, firstfrom Ipswich to Gloucester, 25 
" from Caleb Haskell's to Jona- 
than Lufkin's, . . 41 
" from Gloucester line to lower 

causeway, . . . 107 
" from Haffield's bridge towards 

beach, .... 182 
" from Joseph Choat».'s to great 

bridge, .... 107 
" from Thompson's Island to 

lower causeway, . . 107 

" to Falls Landing, . . 298 

*' to Hog Island, ... 265 

Roads from central district to Falls, 127, 

[269, 335 
" to Manchester, . 170, 277 

" and bridges in seventeenth 

century, . . . 106 
Rogers, Rev. Nathaniel, . . 36, 52 

Ropewalks, 336 

Ross, George, .... 398 

" George, Jr., . . . 399 

Russ, Dr. John D., sketch of, . 298 

" Dr. Parker, sketch of, 175, 240, 260 

Rust, Nathaniel, Jr., (first teacher,] 106 



Sargent, George H., 
O. H. P., 

Saw-mills, . 
Scenery of Essex, 
School, (first,) 



359, 428 

404 

60, 297, 310 

447 

104, 106 



Sabbath School, 



275, 344 



" first in Falls district, . 155 
" first in South district, . 155 
" high, efibrt for, . . 261 
" Ipswich Grammar, Chebacco 

boys in, . , . 130 

" Latin, in Ipswich, . . 104 

" North, exhibition of, . 240 

" " imaginary visit to, 228 

Schools, action of parish and town 

respecting, 104, 131, 155, 183, 
[271, 294, 303, 310 
" and meeting-houses, nur- 
series of civil liberty, 129 
length of, . 112, 155, 174 

" money raised for, 106, 131, 151, 
155, 174, 273, 284, 315, 320, 
[324, 335, 336, 344, 478 
No. of pupils in, 111, 228, 271, 
[335, 344 
" study of Latin in, 174, 261 

" system of discipline for, 294 
School committee, . . 284, 294 
" " oath required of, 303 

" district, central, . . 311 
East, ... 272 
" Falls, . . 155, 183 
" " new North, . 312 

" " old North, . 175, 810 

" " new South, 272, 273 

" old South, 155, 223, 271 
" " Thompson's Island, 272 

" farm, . . .51, 131 

" house, (first,) . . . Ill 
" " in central district, 311 

" " in new North, " . 312 
" " in old North, " . 254 

" " second in Chebacco, 174 
" houses in East district, 272, 324 
" in Falls district, 183, 254, 
[308, 357 
" " in new South district, 273, 

[320 

in old South " 223, 254 

" " on Thompson's Island, 272, 

[312 
" pasture, .... 106 
" privileges in early times, 104, 112 
[155, 174 
" teachers, 106, 148, 151, 175, 183, 
[223,228,260,288,309,311 
" " how appointed, and 

wages of . 174 
Sea-coast, men stationed at, in war 

of Rebellion, . . . 428, 430 

Senators, State, .... 476 

Separate Society, formation of, 161, 162 

Settlement of Essex, ... 23 

" of Ipswich, . . 23 

Settle'rs, first, . . . . 23, 45 

" " character of, . . 35 

" " houses of, . . 25,46 

" " imaginary visits to, 25, 46, 69 

SewaU, Dr. Thomas, sketch of, . 322 



INDEX. 



487 



Sewall, Eev. Thomas, D. D , sketch 

of, . . . 319,444 
Shay's Eebellion, soldiers in cam- 
paign against, .... 237 
Shepard, Rev. Jeremiah, . . 74, 82 
Ship-building, sketch of, . . 844 
Ship-yard, first, .... 60 

Ship-yards, location of, . 345, 846 
Singing in meeting-house, . 134, 234 

Slavery, 124 

Small-pox 131 

Snow, great depth of, . . 117, 224 

Social Library, Chebacco, . . 255 

Soldiers, at capture of Louisburg, 156 

" deaths of in Revolutionary 

army, 206, 211, 216, 221, 233 
in battles of Revolution, 206, 212, 
[215, 217, 220, 350 
" iaexpedition against Shay's 

Rebellion, ... 237 
in French wars, 96, 112, 156, 175 
" in Indian war, . . 69 

" in Pequot war, . . 40 

" in Revolutionary army, 233 
" in war of 1812, . . 271 
" in war of Rebellion, . 427 

[See also " Rebellion."] 
" pay of in Revolution, 214, 222 
" town aid to families of in 

Revolution, . 215, 219 

" town aid to families of in 

war of Rebellion, . 859 
" value of services of in Rev- 
olution, ... 231 
Sons of Temperance, . . 325 

South district, (new,) . . 272 

(old,) . 155, 223, 271 
" school-houses, . 223,273,320 

Spaulding, Rev. Willard, . . 316 
SpofFord, U. G., rebuilds great bridge, 355 
" " remodels Cong'l meet- 

ing-house, . 320 
" " sketch of temperance 

reformation by, 305 

Stanwood, Ebenezer, Esq., . . 477 

Statistics, town, 285, 293, 307, 320, 335, 

[336, 344, 478 

Story, Aaron Herbert, . . 397 

" Abel, (vessel builder,) . 347 

" Andrew, (first settler,) 40, 236, 478 

" Major Andrew, emigration 

of, to Ohio, ... 239 
" Andrew, .... 346 
" Asa, .... 393 

" Dr. Asa, sketch of, . . 276 
" Mrs. Betsey, legacy of, to 

Universalist Society, . 317 
" Esq. David, . . . 849 
" David Lewis, . . . 400 
" Jesse, Jr., (Bunker's Hill sol- 
dier) 206 

" Captain Jonathan, . 243, 276 
'• Esq. Jonathan, sketch of, 826 
" Master Joseph, sketch of, 234, 309 
" Otis, .... 391 
" Dea. Seth, . . 168, 236 
" Elder Seth, . 198, 200, 236, 253 
" William (early settler,) 60, 236, 478 



Story, Captain William, . . 183 
" Dea. Zechariah, . 200, 237 
Storys, ancestors of, . . 236, 478 
Supplies, town, for Revolutionary 

Army, .... 225, 226 

Surplus fund of U. S., disposal of, 319 
Swett, Simeon, .... 406 

Tax of Ipswich, in 1708, . . 112 

Temperance Reformation, . . 805 

" Societies, sketches of, 305, 

[322, 825 

Territory of Ipswich purchased of 

Indians, . . .38, 44, 97 

Thompson's Island, origin of name 

of, . 272 

" " district, . 272 

" " school-houses, 272, 

[312 
Throat distemper, . . . 152 
Thunderstorms, . . 824, 335 

Town, action of on calls for Volun- 
teers, . . . 359, 860 
" action on orders for drafts, 861, 864 
" aid to famines of soldiers in 

Revolution, . . 215, 219 
" aid to families of soldiers in 

war of Rebellion, . 359 

" bounties in Revolution, 214, 222 
" " in war of Rebelion, 860, 

[361, 363 
" clerks, .... 476 
" debt, . . 285, 335, 836, 344 
" landings, . . 298, 324, 345 

" meeting, moderators of annual, 477 
" " to consider tyranny 

ofAndros, . 98 

" meetings, value of in secur- 
ing independence, 185, 192, 195, 
[201, 204 
" of Ipswich, action of on pohti- 

calaflairs, 185, 192, 193, 195, 196, 

[202, 204, 210, 223, 238 

" pound, .... 136 

statistics, 285, 293, 307, 320, 836, 

[336, 844, 478 

" supplies for Revolutionary 

army, . . . 225,226 

" treasurers, . . . 476 

Training day in early times, . 93 

Tucker, Joseph W., . , . 876 

TuUee, Rev. J. H., . . . 316 

Ukiversalist meeting-house, cost, 
dimensions and 
dedication of 316 
" " repairs of, . 816 

" society, formation and 

number of mem- 
bers of, . . 307 
" society, legacy to, 817 

" society, preachers to, 316 

Valley Forge, soldiers at, 218, 350 

Valuation of Essex, 286, 293, 307, 320, 

[335, 886, 344, 478 

Varney, John, .... 164 

Mrs. Thomas, . . 78,81 



488 



INDEX. 



Varnum, John, .... 423 
Vessel builder, first, ... 61 

" builders, . . . 346,847 

" building, sketch of, . . 344 
Vindication of Chebacco in establish- 
ing public worship, . . 75 
Visits, imaginary to first settlers, 25,46,69 
Volunteers, action of town upon 



calls for, . 




359, 


360 


deaths of. 


. 


, 


431 


sketches of, 




364-427 


summary of 


by 


regi- 




ments, 




427- 


-430 



Walk About Town, . . 436 
War of 1812, . . . 271, 274 
" Rebellion, [see " Rebellion."] 
" Revolution, [see " Revolu- 
tionary War and Army."] 
Ward, Rev. Nathaniel, sketch of, 34 
Washington Total Abstinence So- 
ciety, 322 

Webster, Dr. Eliphalet K., . 265 

" Rev, Josiah, ordination of, 253 
" Rev. Josiah, record of 

deaths by, . . 465 
" Rev. Josiah, record of 

marriages, by . . 455 
" Rev. Josiah, sketch of 263 
Wentworth, George S. . . 398 
Wharf, near great bridge, . . 298 
White-Plains, soldiers in battle of, 212 
White, Wilham, (first settler,) . 23 

White's Hill, .... 448 
Wise, Major, Ammi R., . . 170 
" Henry, .... 130 
" Rev. Jeremiah, election ser- 
mon of, . . . . 147 
" Rev. Jeremiah, sketch of, 114, 173 



Wise, Rev. John, chaplaincy of in 

French war, . . . 139 

" Rev. John, death, funeral and 

character of, 131, 136, 137, 140 

" Rev. John, delegate to colonial 

convention, . . . 103 

" Rev. John, early life and or- 
dination of, . . 89, 139 

" Rev. John, eulogy of on Queen 

Anne, .... 122 

" Rev. John, houses of and im- 
aginary visit to, . 89, 113, 114 

" Rev John, opposition of to tyr- 
anny of Audros, 97, 98, 452 

" Rev. John, personal appear- 
ance of, . . . 87, 141 

" Rev. John, settlement and sal- 
ary of, . . . 88, 132 

" Rev. John, tombstone and in- 
scription of, . 138, 452 

" Rev. John, treatise of, on lib- 
erty of the churches, . 118 

" Rev. John, trial and punish- 
ment of for opposing An- 
dres, .... 101 

" Rev. John, vindication of gov- 
ernment of N. E. churches 
by, 125 

" John, Jr., .... 138 

" Dr. Joseph, . . 115, 138 
Witchcraft, .... 440 

Wolf-trap, 32 

Wolves, - . _. . .29,50 
Women, agency of in raising first 

meeting-house, ... 78 

Year, civil, change in time of begin- 
ning, 73 

Yorktown, seige of, . . 227, 350 



N( 



